Wall of Greetings

Over 1200 people used our Send Team Wishes app to send their personal message of support to Team Ireland. View all messages as well as letters of support from President Mary McAleese, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Michael Ring, and Sport NI here

THANK YOU

From 25th June to 5th July, 126 athletes proudly represented Team Ireland at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. They competed in 12 sports (Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Equestrian,Football (5 aside Male; 5 aside Female & 11 aside Male), Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking and Table-Tennis), where they recorded a number of personal best records, won a total of 107 Medals and dozens of place ribbons. 

For 10 days, the eyes of the world were upon them, and they prospered!

Team Ireland was supported by 49 coaches who's dedication was handsomely rewarded by the fantastic performances of each of our athletes. 200 Irish volunteers helped to ensure that the Games ran smoothly (despite the strikes that were taking place in Athens!), and more importantly, ensured that each Team Ireland athlete had lots of support when competing.

The travelling media (Philip Bromwell - RTE News, Henry McKean - Newstalk, Ian Dempsey - Today FM, and Ray McManus - Sportsfile) did a fantastic job in ensuring that everyone back home in Ireland was aware of the incredible achievements of our 126 sporting heroes, and brought the Athens experience to life for those who couldn't be there. 

Over 400 family members travelled to Athens to support their loved ones and reaped the reward of seeing their relative compete on the World Stage. These family members were a fantastic representation of all families who have supported their athlete through the years of training prior to World Games, and went the extra mile to support their endeavours with Team Ireland in the build-up to Athens.

To all of the above, to our sponsors including Team Ireland sponsor eircom, to everyone who left us messages of support using our Send Team Wishes app, posted on our Facebook Wall and downloaded our iPhone App, to all of the regional media who shone the spotlight on their local athletes, and most of all, to the fantastic 126 athletes who made us all so proud:

THANK YOU -You are incredible!