Ireland at the 2006 Winter Olympics

Ireland sent a delegation to compete at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy from 10–26 February 2006. This was Ireland's fourth appearance at a Winter Olympic Games. The Irish delegation to Turin consisted of four athletes, two alpine skiers, one cross-country skier, and one skeleton racer. The best performance by any Irish competitor at these Olympics was 20th, by David Connolly in the men's skeleton race. Background The Olympic Council of Ireland was first recognized by the International Olympic Committee on 31 December 1921. With the exception of the 1936 Summer Olympics they have entered a team in every Summer Olympic Games since. However, Ireland did not join Winter Olympics competition until the 1992 Winter Olympics, and Turin was marking their fourth appearance at a Winter Games, having skipped the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. The Irish delegation to Turin consisted of four athletes, two alpine skiers, one cross-country skier, and one skeleton racer. All four of Ireland's athletes at Turin were first-time Olympians. Alpine skier Kirsten McGarry was the flag bearer for the opening ceremony and cross-country skier Rory Morrish was selected as the flag bearer for the closing ceremony. Alpine skiing Thomas Foley was 26 years old at the time of the Turin Olympics. His only event, the men's giant slalom, was held on 20 February. He finished the first run in a time of 1 minute and 28.28 seconds, and the second in 1 minute and 29.14 seconds. His combined time was 2 minutes and 57.42 seconds, good for 31st place out of 41 competitors who finished both legs of the race. The gold medal was won by Benjamin Raich of Austria in a time of 2 minutes and 35 seconds, the silver medal was taken by Joël Chenal of France and the bronze by Austrian Hermann Maier.