WHILE it is disappointing not to be welcoming an Irish medal to the RDS, there will be a number of Olympic medallists arriving to Ballsbridge next week, including the all-conquering British team which includes Ben Maher who collected gold in Paris last week.

The silver medallists, USA, are also fielding a team for the new Underwriting Exchange-sponsored Aga Khan Nations Cup, and on that team will be the Olympic veterans Laura Kraut and McLain Ward who were so influential in Paris. The flying Frenchmen will also be in full flight after taking an emotional bronze medal on home soil.