Philip Patton
Sep6Written by:
9/6/2010 9:47 AM 
Philip Patton from Dromore, Co. Down is one of 34 athletes who travelled to Poland as part of Team Ireland to participate at the Special Olympics European Games in September. Philip will compete in the table tennis competition at the Special Olympics European Games and is very much looking forward to the trip. Philip won 1 bronze medal and won 7th place in the table tennis singles in Poland.
Philip has been involved with Special Olympics for the past 6 years and during that time he has enjoyed much success in his sports participating in lots of competitions and winning a number of medals at regional level and Ireland level.
Philip is a member of Banbridge Special Olympics Club where he trains weekly with his club mates. Before joining Special Olympics Philip’s life was not as busy as it is now. He wasn’t actively involved in sports and didn’t have many friends so he spent most of his time at home. All that changed dramatically through Special Olympics as he now has regular training sessions to look forward to, he is much fitter and enjoys meeting his friends and the volunteers in his local club.
Philip appeared on a special feature about Special Olympics on UTV’s 7.30 Show earlier this year along with his parents Thomas and Charmaine, who are both volunteers with Special Olympics. Philip really enjoyed his experience of working with the camera crew who followed him from his home to a training session ahead of the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games.
This is the first time that Philip has been selected to represent Ireland at European Games level and he feels very privileged. He hopes to do well in his table tennis competition and is also looking forward to meeting lots of new people at the Games.
In his spare time Philip has a keen interest in cars and motorbikes. He enjoys being around engines so much that he even offers to clean his Dad’s motorbike every now and then!