Special Olympics worth €10m to Limerick region

FINDINGS of a study released last night show that the Special Olympics were worth almost €10 million to Limerick.

Special Olympics Ireland and Shannon Development commissioned the study to assess the economic and social impact of the games held in Limerick last June. The study was independently conducted by Focus Consulting, Limerick.

In addition to assessing the direct economic impact on the area, a review was also undertaken to determine the social impact of the games — from developing a greater understanding of Special Olympics in the local community to assessing the legacy generated for Limerick as a result of hosting a sporting event of this kind. Additional research was also undertaken to assess the perception of Limerick as a venue for hosting major events and visitor perceptions of the area for the future marketing of Limerick.

The main findings are:

*Total economic impact of the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games was €9.95 million.

* 9,000 family members and supporters attended the games.

* 2,429 newly registered volunteers signed up to volunteer at the games.

* Social capital value of volunteers’ time is €4.71m.

* The games resulted in 24,000 bed nights for Limerick and the region.

* 35,482 meals were prepared for athletes, coaches and volunteers.

* 94% of attendees said they would consider a return visit to Limerick based on their experience of the city during the games.

Matt English, chief executive officer Special Olympics Ireland, said: “The games were a wonderful success, both in terms of the hospitality shown to us and the positive impact hosting this event had on the region. For Special Olympics Ireland the real measure of success is the lasting legacy that the games have left behind them: the formation of new Special Olympics clubs, recruitment of more athletes and volunteers and the generation of a greater understanding of how participation in Special Olympics changes the lives of those involved.”

Mark O’Connell, associate director, Focus Consulting, said the value and strategic importance of sport for the region is underlined by the social and economic impact of the Special Olympics Games in Limerick and Clare. He said the role of sport in the context of a regional tourism strategy is reinforced by the study findings which demonstrate the scale of financial and social impacts such events have on the host region.

“The independent economic and social analysis of 1,400 people involved in the Ireland Games has built on previous sports tourism reviews conducted in the area and reinforces the spending power of visitors attending sporting events in the mid-west.

“In addition to generating an economic value of almost €10m, the impact of these events on the profile of Limerick city and the region is considerable and lays a great platform for the City of Sport calendar which will be a major economic stimulus for the city in 2011,” he said.