Ken Ryan

Ireland’s Ken Ryan spent more than 50 years of his life involved in sailing, gaining honours from the Irish Sailing Association, World Sailing, and the International Olympic Committee. In 1968 Ryan became involved in the sport at an international level for the first time. Between 1972 and 2008 he attended every Olympic Games in the capacity of part of the Irish delegation or chef de mission, or in the role of a judge or jury member. At the 1980 Moskva Olympics Ryan was Ireland’s team manager and the flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony. The following year he was awarded with the Olympic Order in Bronze.

From 1974 to 1994 Ryan was a member of the Irish Sailing Association (ISA). During this time he was appointed to the World Sailing Racing Rules Committee in 1978 and was their vice-chair from 1990 to 1994. From 1998 to 2004 Ryan was the Vice-President of World Sailing, with the organisation awarding him with the Beppe Croce Trophy for his services to sailing in 2006. Two years later he was inducted into the ISA’s Hall of Fame.