Local athletes gearing up special olympics world games
Three Westmeath athletes are among an 88-strong Irish team competing in the Special Olympics Word Summer Games, kicking off this Saturday in LA.
Coosan’s Shauna Stewart, a student in St Hilda’s School, Athlone participates in the gymnastics competition as part of Team Ireland, while Peter Malynn represents St Hilda’s Centre in the bocce. Ruth Geerah from Mullingar makes up the Westmeath contingent as she prepares to contest the bowling contest at the World games, running from July 25 to August 2 next.
The local athletes selection comes after four years of training and competition. A 40-strong coaching and management team will support the athletes in Los Angeles and there will also be 155 Irish volunteers travelling to work at the Games.
The athletes will spend the first few days of their Los Angeles adventure in the city of Downey in southeast Los Angeles County as part of the Host Town programme.
This Saturday the 2015 World Summer Games will be officially opened at a star-studded Opening Ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics Games.
The event will feature performances by Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne and Nicole Scherzinger with appearances by First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, Jimmy Kimmel, actress Eva Longoria, and Olympic star Michael Phelps among many others.
Team Ireland will be led out by Irish Sports Council CEO John Treacy, who won a silver medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, actor Colin Farrell, and Claudine Keane, wife of football star Robbie Keane.
“I am so proud of every one of our athletes who will be representing their country and communities at the 2015 World Summer Games in Los Angeles. Each of these athletes has shown great motivation, discipline and tremendous skill in getting this far and it is worthy of real celebration. They are all winners and it is a truly remarkable achievement for all our athletes, their coaches,their families and Special Olympics volunteers,” enthused Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland.
“I know the entire country will be cheering on Team Ireland during the Games and I am really looking forward to being in Los Angeles to enjoy and share the experience with our athletes and their families,” added the CEO.
The Irish Sports Council, Eircom, convenience retail chain Gala, and Sport NI, have pledged funds to help cover the cost of sending Team Ireland to the Games in Los Angeles and their support was also highlighted by Mr English as the athletes boarded their flights in Dublin airport on Tuesday.