Special Olympians return after 12 medal haul at Winter Games

IRELAND’s Euro Indoor athletes weren’t the medal heroes of the weekend. The Special Olympics team returned yesterday from the Winter Games in Nagano, Japan with a 12 medal haul in tow.

The athletes received a rapturous reception at Dublin Airport following their success in the Downhill, Giant Slalom and Slalom events of the Alpine Skiing competition in the Ichinose Family Ski Ground in Yamanouchi Town.

A terrific final day yielded six medals in the slalom event of the alpine skiing competition. Each Team Ireland member distinguished themselves by winning at least one medal over the three disciplines. Ryan Hill from Richhill in Co Armagh won a full set of medals.

Supported by Eddie Sythes (Head of Delegation), Kathleen Sythes (Head Coach), Elaine Byrne (Medical) and Catherine Conway and Michael Kelly (coaches), the team ensured that the months of weekly training and exercise over the last year yielded great results.

Said Dr Phil Nolan, Chief Executive of sponsors, eircom: “Considering the competition they were facing - an incredible 2,500 athletes from 80 delegations - their achievements are outstanding. All the more impressive is the fact that these athletes have become highly skilled in a sport for which Ireland does not even have the weather conditions - Alpine Skiing.”

TEAM 2005, a volunteer led fundraising initiative, comprising 26 fully trained, enthusiastic Special Olympics Ireland volunteers, who have collectively raised over €200,000 for Special Olympics Ireland, also returned yesterday, having cheered on the athletes on the slopes of Ichinose.