1,500 athletes full of excitement as Special Olympic Games begin
As 1,500 athletes from 32 counties gathered to parade through the city, Chloe O’Mahony from Bandon, Co Cork, summed it up.
The 17-year-old relay and 100m runner said: “This is the most exiting day of my life. The bus trip in from the university with the Garda motor bikes escorting us was brilliant. I am here to enjoy myself and to compete.”
The Bandon Athletic Club contingent was completed by Ronan Desmond, 15 and Anna Murphy, 22.
Diarmuid O’Connell, son of legendary Kerry footballer Mick O’Connell, reckoned if there was currach racing in the games, he’d get a medal no bother, given the hours he spends rowing around Valentia Island.
Diarmuid will be watched today competing in the 200m and 100m by his parents Mick and Rosaleen and brother Micheal, a Dublin-based barrister and his wife Emma McAleese, daughter of the former president.
“They’ll all be her to cheer me on,” Diarmuid said.
Eoin O’Sullivan, 17, of the Tralee Together team, was confident he will do well in the 50m dash and shot putt.
“I hope to do well,” he said.
A battalion of 3,000 volunteers are pitching in to ensure everything goes to plan over the three days of competitions.
Student nurses Niamh Faul and Helen Hehir are looking forward to the mission ahead.
Niamh, 20, from Ballyvourney, Co Cork, said: “It should be good craic and lots of the student nurses at UL have joined as volunteers. It will be something to say in years to come, that we were part of these great games in Limerick.”
The games generate a big economic bonanza for the city and most of Limerick’s 2000 hotel rooms have been booked for the weekend.
Sean Lally, general manager of The Strand Hotel, said: “These great games are every bit as good as a Heineken Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park and we reckon the local economy will get a €10m lift.”
The opening parade through the city was led by the 40 strong Special Olympics Torch Run Team made up of members of the gardaí and PSNI.
Athletes were cheered on as they made their way to the People’s Park for official opening ceremony, an event supported by Limerick City of Culture.
Marching bands and street performers gave the occasion a party mood.
On entering the People’s Park, the athletes were treated to entertainment from the Munster Rugby Supporter’s Choir, Shannon Gospel Choir, traditional Irish music act Kila, and singer-songwriter Paddy Casey.
The athletes’ oath was delivered by Elaine Hill of Team Munster, and former Ireland rugby player David Wallace raised the games flag.
Special Olympics CEO Matt English said: “The people of Limerick have shown extraordinary support to our athletes during the long build up to the 2014 Games. Every single call to action has been answered from volunteers to financial support, and for that we are truly grateful.”
Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin told the 7,000-strong crowd: “Special Olympics changes lives in so many different ways, enabling people with an intellectual disability to achieve and win, not only in sport but in life too. These athletes are supported by their families and a team of 25,000 volunteers who give endless hours of their time and, without them, the Special Olympics would not be the success that it is.”
Over the three days, the 1,500 athletes will compete in 14 sports in venues in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary. As well as being the main hub residential centre, the University of Limerick will also host the athletics, aquatics, basketball, football, gymnastics, and kayaking, and the non-competitive motor activities training programme. Across the city, the Tailteann Sports Centre, Mary Immaculate College, will host badminton, and table tennis, while the Delta Sports Dome will host Bocce. The equestrian competition will take place in Clonshire Equestrian Centre.
Ennis Leisure World in Co Clare will host the tenpin bowling, while Murroe Pitch and Putt and Ballykisteen Golf Club in Tipperary will host the pitch and putt and golf competitions.
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