Welcome to Eircom Special Olympics

TEAM Ireland for 2007 Special Olympics

143 athletes and 55 coaches selected as TEAM Ireland, sponsored by eircom, to represent Ireland at 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in China in October

TEAM Ireland for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in China was officially announced at a gala event in the RDS in Dublin today (Sunday 29th April 2007). 143 athletes and 55 coaches paraded with celebrities from the sports and entertainment fields in a celebration of achievement and hope as the team prepares and trains to represent Ireland in Shanghai in October. TEAM2007, the 200 volunteers travelling to China to volunteer and support TEAM Ireland was also officially announced.

Following the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games, Special Olympics Ireland devised a four year strategy to expand the opportunities and resources offered by the organisation so that every child and adult with a learning disability has the chance, in their own community, to achieve in ways that bring life changing experiences of increased skills, confidence and joy. The legacy of the last World Games is that athlete numbers have increased by 4,000 reaching 33% of all people with a learning disability in Ireland and there are now 18,000 fully trained volunteers, 100 community networks and 402 clubs participating in Special Olympics programmes throughout Ireland.

None of this would be possible without initiatives such as the Support an Athlete campaign, which aimed to raise €5m to create more sports opportunities for people with a learning disability and to fund TEAM Ireland for the 2007 World Games. Thousands of supporters across Ireland, such as businesses, schools, individuals and many more, fundraised to help reach the target of the campaign which ended on Friday last with the Road to China Collection Day.

The two hour extravaganza in the Main Hall of the RDS rekindled many fond memories and feelings of pride as experienced at the 2003 Games. The day was celebrated by the athletes and their families, coaches and volunteers alongside celebrities such as soccer legends Paul McGrath and Packie Bonner, broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy, comedian Tommy Tiernan and athletics athlete David Gillick.

The show was hosted by Kathryn Thomas, Ian Dempsey and Des Cahill, and there were live performances from Tommy Fleming and Mickey Harte. Recorded messages of goodwill and best wishes from celebrities such as golfer Padraig Harrington, broadcasters Anne Doyle and George Hook and entertainers Dickie Rock, Pauline McGlynn, Patrick Kielty and Gabriel Byrne to name but a few delighted the athletes and their families. Other entertainment was provided by Cork Music Works and drummers from DIT and a moving poem called ‘My Brother’ composed and recited by Theo Dorgan, brother of Special Olympics athlete Pat who is a member of the TEAM Ireland table tennis team, made a huge impact on the audience. As part of the show the audience was invited to take part in Chinese lessons and the Special Olympics torch was brought to the stage by guardians of the flame, ACC Duncan McCausland of the PSNI and Deputy Commissioner Peter Fitzgerald whilst tenor Breffni Horgan sang ‘Nella Fantastia’. As Chairman of the Council of Patrons of Special Olympics Ireland, Denis O’Brien officially announced the details of the delegation which will travel to China. And finally the crowd went wild when the parade of athletes took to the stage for the first time as TEAM Ireland and sang the athletes’ anthem ‘May We Never Have To Say Goodbye’ with Tommy Fleming.

Speaking at the team announcement Mary Davis said, “It’s hard to believe four years have gone by since we staged the World Games. We all have so many great memories of that time and we know how hard the Chinese Committee are working to make the 2007 Games a success. I know we are all really looking forward to being there, in Shanghai. I am delighted the Chinese Ambassador has taken the time to be with us today and I want to thank him for the help that he has given to our team of athletes, families and volunteers. And thank you to all you for being here today, to our premier sponsor and official team sponsor eircom as well as our other sponsors Toyota Ireland, SPAR and Accenture for their ongoing support of Special Olympics and to the stars of this show, thank you also.”

Cathal Magee, Managing Director, eircom Retail, sponsor of TEAM Ireland said, “Special Olympics Ireland has certainly grown since we first got involved as sponsors back in 1985. It’s been a privilege to be part of this development. The association has been extremely successful – the dedication and commitment of everyone in Special Olympics Ireland has always inspired us and generated engagement by our staff.”

He added “In fact it is our staff, through their involvement in fundraising and volunteering, who have helped make this relationship work on the ground. Over the years, they have welcomed Special Olympics athletes into our workplace, worked on secondment with Special Olympics Ireland, organised fundraising events and volunteered for various Games. I would like to wish all the athletes in TEAM Ireland the very best of luck in Shanghai, and extend warm good wishes to the families, volunteers and supporters travelling with the team.”

TEAM Ireland will participate in 12 sports at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games which take place in Shanghai, China from 2nd to 11th October. Visit www.eircom.net/SpecialOlympics for details of the full delegation travelling to the Games.

Back to News