Ennis Athlete Returns Victorious From Special Olympics European Games

Sports - Athletics

Monday, 27 September 2010 16:03

Written by Barry McNamara

Special Olympics Team Ireland received a rapturous welcome in Dublin Airport last Friday when they returned from the 2010 Special Olympics European Games.

The Games took place in Warsaw, Poland from 18-24th September and Team Ireland had an outstanding performance winning a total of 10 gold, 8 silver and 11 bronze medals as well as recording a number of personal best performances.

Among the 34 athletes on Team Ireland was Robert McNamara from Ennis who returned home having won 1 Gold and 2 Silver medals in the Athletics / Track & Field event.

Hundreds of people turned up to Dublin Airport last Friday to applaud Team Ireland’s success at the Games, including Minister for Tourism Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin T.D who said: Special Olympics Ireland embodies everything that’s great about our country. The athletes who train so hard and families who provide support, the communities who follow the athletes successes at home and abroad all combine to ensure that having an intellectual disability does not preclude anyone from going for gold and being the best they can be. Well done to all.”

Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland said: We are so proud of each and every one of these fantastic athletes. They trained long and hard in advance of the Games and that dedication certainly paid off. I would like to congratulate all of the athletes on Team Ireland, their coaches, families and supporters for representing us all so well at these prestigious European level Games”.

Padraig Corkery, Head of Sponsorship, eircom was also in attendance and said "Once again, Team Ireland have done us proud on the International stage.  Congratulations to the athletes and to the wider community of families, volunteers, coaches and supporters.  We are particularly proud at this performance as we celebrate our 25 year partnership with Special Olympics Ireland this year.  Well done".

The Games took place in Warsaw, Poland from 18-24th September. The theme of the Games was ‘Together Now’ and called on European communities to come together in support of the Special Olympics movement and its promotion, through sport, of a better world, where every person regardless of their ability or disability, is accepted, welcomed and valued – a word of inclusion and mutual respect, without bias or prejudice.