Ireland stands proud

SIMPLY participating is a cause for celebration, but a medal tally of 107 is truly remarkable for the athletes who return home today having done Ireland proud in the Special Olympics.

Their achievements, a tribute to the human spirit, are all the more remarkable for being pitted against 7,500 athletes from 185 countries.

And so at the end of the World Summer Games, a 10-day event in Athens, home of the Olympic movement, 126 brave young men and women will touch down today in Dublin Airport to the cheers of family and friends, armed with 31 gold, 44 silver and 32 bronze medals.

This follows last night’s colourful closing ceremony where thousands joined in the revelries and where Team Ireland was ably represented by basketball player Diarmuid O’Leary from Carrigrohane in Cork and basketball coach Michael Lynch from Roscommon.