AFTER A sterling performance at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, the Irish team will return to a well-deserved heroes’ welcome at 12.25pm today at Dublin airport.
Arriving on the flight will be the 126 athletes and 49 coaches of Team Ireland, which bagged a total of 107 medals – 31 gold, 44 silver and 32 bronze – in 12 sports at the games: aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, kayaking and table tennis. Family members and volunteers are expected on flights throughout the day.
The 10 days of inspiring competition in the Greek capital officially came to an end last night with the extinguishing of the flame and the ceremonial lowering of the Special Olympics flag at the Kallimarmaro stadium, the 45,000-seater all-marble venue built to host the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
A highlight of the closing ceremony of the 13th summer games was a parade of about 300 representatives drawn from the nearly 7,000 competing athletes.
Marching on behalf of Team Ireland were basketball player Diarmuid O’Leary, from Carrigrohane, Co Cork, and coach Michael Lynch of Roscommon.
Joining the jubilant Irish athletes and coaches in the stands were the 200 Irish volunteers who assisted in the running of the games.
Returning to a message he delivered at the opening ceremony, Timothy Shriver, head of Special Olympics worldwide, urged athletes and their families to continue the fight for “the dignity revolution” when they returned home. “We need to find the Special Olympics athlete within each of us,” he said.
Summing up the games, Matt English, Special Olympics Ireland chief executive, said that not only had the members of the Irish team performed brilliantly, but “they have formed friendships for life”.It is a sentiment echoed by many parents. “The athletes had a wonderful time at the games. It was a fantastic experience,” said Ita Cunningham of Galway, whose son Gary took a bronze with the basketball team. His team-mate Michael Glynn said he had “great fun and craic” in Athens, but added that it was somewhat warmer than his native parish of Moore, Co Roscommon.
Their coach, Colm Barry, pointed out that games enabled the athletes to take great steps in their personal and sporting development.
“They made tremendous progress off the courts as well as on, making great strides in making friendships that they will always have,” he said.
He added that he “couldn’t have asked for anything more” as regards the players’ effort and determination.
After their arrival in Dublin this afternoon, the country’s Special Olympians will return to their native cities, towns and villages for more homecoming celebrations.
Once the celebrations are over, Team Ireland will set to work on preparing for the 2013 winter games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and the 2015 games, which will be held in either Los Angeles or South Africa.