9 Cool AF Irish Olympic Athletes You Need To Follow On Instagram

The Rio de Janeiro Olympics start this weekend, and even if you won’t manage to tune in to every event, you can still keep updated via your Instagram feed.

The London Olympics in 2012 marked the first time that social media was a real presence at the Olympics, and though there are strict guidelines for any brand-related tweets, most of this year’s athletes have been sharing training updates, team shots and selfies with the Rio skyline to beat the band.

If you’re as excited as we are for Team Ireland’s chances at Rio 2016, here are nine Irish favourites to get following on Instagram ASAP…

Saskia Tidey, Sailing: @sastidey

Moving into the Olympic Village tomorrow to join @olympicsirl before the 2016 Opening Ceremony here in Rio! ???? #WorldSailing #Sailing #Olympics #olympics2016 #TeamIreland #OpeningCeramony

A photo posted by Saskia Tidey (@sastidey) on Aug 4, 2016 at 4:39pm PDT

This girl is total #fitspo.

Natalya Coyle, Modern Pentathlon: @natalyacoyle

Last hard track set before we head to Rio on Friday! @sivebrassil taking the award for best training partner. Kicking my ass on a daily basis ??? #RoadToRio #TeamIreland #TeamKinetica #MadeOfWhatMatters #Running

A photo posted by @natalyacoyle on Jul 25, 2016 at 11:14am PDT

Follow her training partner Sive Brassil for more behind-the-scenes updates too. The coolest besties going.

Kieran Behan, Gymnastics: @kieranbehan

Come on Ireland ??⚽️#coybig #euro2016

A photo posted by Kieran Behan (@kieranbehanirl) on Jun 13, 2016 at 9:29am PDT

This is Kieran’s second time at the Olympics – he represented us back in 2012, too, and was the second EVER Irish gymnast to qualify. Oh, and he’s a bit of a hottie, but you didn’t hear that from us…

Alex Wright, Race-Walking: @alexwright36

40km done this morning to finish off 200k week #guadix #roadtorio #fuelyourambition #myprotein #racewalk #marcha

A photo posted by Alex Wright (@alexwright36) on Jul 17, 2016 at 4:08am PDT

Alex is based in Cork but has been training in the 32 degree heat in Spain for the last few weeks to prep for Rio. Inspirational or wha’?

Ellis O’Reilly, Gymnastics: @ellisoreilly

Forever in chalk ?

A photo posted by Ellis O’Reilly (@ellisoreilly) on Jul 30, 2016 at 5:37pm PDT

Ellis, 18, grew up in Kent, but thanks to her Armagh-born grandfather, she’s competing for Team Ireland. This gal went straight from her A-levels to intense training for Rio like a total queen.

Nicholas Roche, Cycling: @roche_nicholas

@rio2016 lets go #teamireland @cyclingireland

A photo posted by Nicolas Roche (@roche_nicholas) on Aug 3, 2016 at 2:44am PDT

Another stone-cold Olympic hottie we’d recommend adding to your feed.

Tori Pena, Pole Vault: @toripena

A photo posted by toripena (@toripena) on Dec 18, 2015 at 3:54pm PST

Tori’s a native of California with Irish roots who does the majority of her training in Phoenix, Arizona. Safe to say she’s pretty well-travelled.

Ciara Mageean, Running: @c.mageean

Green tea, in my green mug before bed #teamireland

A photo posted by Ciara Mageean (@c.mageean) on Aug 3, 2016 at 5:00pm PDT

Ciara recently won gold at the European Athletics Championships, so we have big hopes for her chances in Rio.

Annalise Murphy, Sailing: @annalise_murphy

Ireland via Brazil!

A photo posted by Annalise Murphy (@annalise_murphy) on Jul 14, 2016 at 3:17pm PDT

Annalise was something of a breakout star at London 2012, and we reckon you’ll see her on the podium this year.

• irish athletes
• Olympics
• team ireland