Special Olympics Ireland puts Friendship back on the Podium
It was smiles all around as Special Olympics Ireland athletes, got the chance to compete at a Badminton advancement event, recently.
This was the first sporting competition in many months and while there were medals on the line and the potential to qualify to represent Team Ireland at the upcoming World Summer Games in Berlin - friendship and family came first on the day. Friends Maeve Long, Nathan Sheehan, Cian Kelleher and Mary Kate Drake from Mallow United, made the long trip from Cork to the venue in Gormanstown, Co Meath
“I was up at 5am, we all got a bus up together. We were singing the whole way and we’ll sing all the way home too. We are so happy to be here together as a team and we are having so much fun.”
With the lifting of restrictions for this more vulnerable group of adults and children, Special Olympics as a sports organisation and charity wants to ensure that all athletes get back to training and competing, empowering them to achieve their full potential and meet their friends again.
With over 50 sporting advancement events planned for 2022 and already underway across the island, today Special Olympics are also launching the return of their annual Collection Day, which will take place on Friday, April 29th. The annual Collection Day raises critical funds to run the programme for 7,624 children and adults with an intellectual disability.
Speaking at the launch event, CEO Matt English said:
"Many of our athletes have defied the odds to do things that they were told were impossible. They’ve proved that they Can’t Stop Now and it’s up to us as an organisation to support their dreams. Sport is about so much more than what happens on the pitch, pool, or court. For our athletes and their families, it is about friendship, building confidence, new skills, and experiencing joy. But we can’t do it without the support of the public. We are calling on communities across the island to support our Collection Day by volunteering to collect on the day or taking part in our 5k for Collection Day challenge. Special Olympics cannot deliver without the commitment of so many volunteers and the continued generosity of so many people.”
In addition to a packed sports schedule, Special Olympics are focused on providing critical early intervention for children from as young as four years old, through their Young Athlete clubs. Their Health and Leadership Programmes also help athletes to learn new skills on becoming more independent and take an active role in their own health.
“Special Olympics is very special. My son David comes alive when he goes to his club. He has loads of friends there and he’s learning about how to take care of his own health. He knows he is part of something bigger. He’s won a gold medal here today but that’s not why we’re smiling and crying. I’m just so proud of him.”
says an emotional Dan Horgan, dad to David of Cork Special Olympics Badminton Club.
This year the public is being asked to get involved in Collection Day on Friday April 29th by volunteering or taking part in their virtual 5k for Collection Day challenge. Full information and sign up details are available here
