Paralympic Games begin - Cheer them on

AS the Paralympic Games got under way last night, high hopes were pinned on Ireland winning eight medals or more in Rio de Janeiro.

But if our athletes were to bring home no more than a brace of medals, it would go a long way towards lifting the pall of gloom and doom that still hangs over this country’s lack luster participation in the Rio Olympics.

Given the relatively poor performance of our boxers in those games after travelling with high hopes, plus the allegations of ticket touting that were leveled against a number of Irish people, things can only get better.

Events such as the Paralympics leave a precious legacy of awareness of the challenge that disabled athletes face.

In Rio, there is a pent up feeling of hope within the team, a sense of expectancy which is shared by each and every one of its irrepressible members that new Irish sports stars will emerge in Rio from our indomitable disabled athletes.

It goes without saying they will all do their best.