This March, 26 Dublin athletes will travel to Abu Dhabi to compete in the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Part of a 91-strong Team Ireland squad, these athletes will represent their country at highest level of sporting competition for Special Olympics athletes. The road to Abu Dhabi started four years ago; the final preparations began in earnest for Special Olympics athletes across the country, with the official launch of Team Ireland for the 2019 World Games. Taking place between 14-21 March 2019, Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the largest sporting and humanitarian event in the world this year. Supported by a volunteer management team of 39, Team Ireland will join 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 countries at the Games.
Local athletes will represent Team Ireland in 10 sports including; The Team Ireland men’s basketball team features a strong Dublin contingent, with seven local athletes on the squad; Stephen Lee (25) from Navan Road,; Oisin Gilmartin (22) from Palmerstown; Jamie Ennis (21) from Clondalkin; Thomas Coyle (23), Geoffrey Curley(30) and Sean Winder (27) all from Tallaght; and Stephen Murphy (26) from Lucan, while Emma Johnstone (22) from Finglas will compete in the ladies basketball team. In gymnastics, Dublin athletes, Eimear Gannon (22) from Templeogue and Rachel Murray (22) from Rathfarnham will compete in rhythmic gymnastics. Golfers John Keating (26) from Templeogue, Mark Claffey (29) from Blackrock, Andrew Simington (30) from Dalkey and playing partner, Phyl Kelleher (79) from Rathfarnham, will take to the green in Abu Dhabi for Team Ireland. In athletics, Alan Power from Knocklyon, who has just turned 50 will compete in his first World Games, alongside Conor Meade (27) from Stillorgan. Footballers Daniel Byrne (19) from Lucan, Patrick Furlong (19) from Ballyfermot and Omer Teko (25) from Walkinstown will compete as part of the Team Ireland 7- a side squad. Sally Duffy (42) from Tallaght will compete in Equestrian events and Michael Hardiman (29) from Tallaght will compete in Tenpin Bowling.
Supporters and sponsors caught up with the athletes for the official launch of the squad recently, ahead of their last residential Team Ireland training session. The 91 athletes traveled to Dublin to train together and ensure that they are ready to take on their biggest sporting challenge yet. Emma McMenamin, Head of Delegation for Team Ireland added: “These athletes are extremely focused and determined and like any athlete facing into a major competition, they are putting 100% into their training. It was great to see how excited the athletes are to be part of this huge event. To represent Team Ireland and compete on the World Stage in Abu Dhabi is a big honour and one these Special Olympics athletes are not taking lightly.” Ahead of the official launch, President Michael D. Higgins sent a message of support to Team Ireland athletes. He said: “Being chosen to represent your country on the international stage is a great honour indeed. It is a tribute, not only to your great talent as athletes, but also to your dedication, hard work and perseverance; qualities which make you inspirational role models and admirable ambassadors for Ireland.
“I thank you for your commitment to representing our country so proudly on the international stage and assure you that, as you travel to Abu Dhabi, you bring with you the support and goodwill of all of the people of Ireland. May I wish each and every one of you every success and many precious moments of enjoyment and happiness at the 2019 Games. May I also commend those who have encouraged and assisted you on your journey to date including your coaches and family members. “I have no doubt that Ireland’s great reputation at the World Summer Games will be further enhanced by Team Ireland’s performance in Abu Dhabi, and that you will make us very proud indeed.”
Special Olympics Ireland is first and foremost a sports organisation and charity that supports children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As the countdown to the World Games gets under way, Special Olympics Ireland is calling on the business community and individuals to help them raise much-needed funds to send the athletes to Abu Dhabi. To cover the cost of sending Team Ireland to the Games, Special Olympics needs to raise a total of €455,000 (€5,000 per athlete). Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland, said: “2019 is shaping up to be a huge year for our athletes having worked so hard over the past three years to qualify for these Games. Companies large and small can show their support for Team Ireland by visiting www.specialolympics.ie and getting involved in our support an athlete campaign. The Irish community have been so generous towards us and we are calling on you again to play your part and help make the dreams of our athletes come true.”
For further information about Team Ireland and the Support an Athlete programme, visit www.specialolympics.ie<http://www.specialolympics.ie>
To keep up to date with Team Ireland’s preparations for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, follow Special Olympics Ireland on Twitter @SOIreland<https://www.twitter/SOIreland> and Facebook, facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIreland<http://www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIreland> and follow the hashtags, #TeamIreland and #PlayYourPart.
