- Team Ireland athletes win one silver and two bronze medals on first day of competition
- Team Ireland swimmer, Sean Coleman, aged 22 from Youghal, Co. Cork wins silver in 25m backstroke;
- Team Ireland Gary McEnroe, aged 20 from Tallaght, Dublin wins bronze 25m backstroke;
- Team Ireland swimmer, Sarah Jane Johnston, aged 35 from Lurgan, Co. Armagh wins bronze in 100m backstroke;
- World Games run from July 25th to August 2nd
As the first day of competition got under way at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles (LA2015) yesterday, Team Ireland are blazing a trail, winning three medals – one silver and two bronze, with a host of personal bests achieved.
Ulster’s Sarah Jane Johnston, aged 35 from Lurgan, Co. Armagh (Ripples Special Olympics Club) clinched the first medal for Team Ireland, winning a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke. Team Ireland swimmer, Sean Coleman, aged 22 from Youghal, Co. Cork (Cork Special Olympics Swimming Club) went on to win a silver medal in the 25m backstroke; and Gary McEnroe, aged 20 from Tallaght, Dublin (St John of God Menni Services) bagged a bronze medal in the 25m backstroke
Seven Personal Bests were also achieved by Team Ireland athletes in day one preliminary heats in athletics and aquatics. The aquatics action is taking place at the University of Southern California and there was a large Irish crowd on hand to support Team Ireland.
Preliminary divisioning heats are continuing in the 12 sports in which Team Ireland are competing in. There is a strong contingent of Irish supporters at the World Games– with more than 300 family members and friends cheering on Team Ireland.
This is a massive year for Special Olympics Ireland and its 88 athletes – including 12 from Ulster – who have travelled to Los Angeles to compete as part of Team Ireland at LA2015. The Games officially got underway at a star-studded Opening Ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics Games. First Lady Michelle Obama gave an impassioned speech about the importance of the global Special Olympics programme and the benefits it offers to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Commenting on Team Ireland’s first day at LA2015, Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland said: “Team Ireland is off to a great start at the World Games. We had some fantastic results in the pool on Sunday and there has also been an array of personal bests as we progress through the preliminary phase of divisioning. We are very hopeful for a successful Games and are looking forward to the coming days of competition.”
Shaun Cassidy, regional director, Special Olympics Ulster said: “We are thrilled to hear the news of Team Ireland’s success on day one of the World Games – our congratulations go to all of the athletes and particularly Ulster’s Sarah Jane Johnston who recorded the first medal win for the team. The excitement from Team Ireland volunteers, families and supporters is being felt at home and abroad, with a great buzz building on social media and we invite everyone to join us in cheering on our Team Ireland athletes on as LA2015 continues.”
The World Games run until August 2nd 2015. Team Ireland will compete in 12 different Olympic style sports. Their selection comes after four years of training and competition.
Twelve local Special Olympics Ulster athletes will compete in the Special Olympics World Summer Games, Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015) as part of Team Ireland: Christopher Kane, aged 19, from Lisburn and Peter Fitzpatrick, aged 20 from Ballynahinch, Co. Down (5-a side football); Carole Catling, aged 37 from Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim (table tennis); Kirsty Devlin, aged 20 from Belfast and Patrick Quinlivan, aged 32 from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (gymnastics); Oliver Doherty, aged 38 from Buncrana, Co. Donegal, Jill Connery, aged 29 from Scarva, Co. Armagh & playing partner, Ursula McDonnell, aged 71 from Belfast (all golf); Sarah Jane Johnston, aged 35 from Lurgan, Co. Armagh (aquatics); Déarbháil Savage, aged 14 from Mowhan, Co. Armagh (equestrian); Sean Campbell, aged 30 from Coleraine (ten pin bowling); and Nuala Browne, aged 38 from Strabane, Co. Tyrone (kayaking).
A 40-strong coaching and management team are supporting the athletes in Los Angeles, with 155 Team Ireland volunteers working at the Games. Over 300 family members have also made the trip to the World Games to support Team Ireland athletes.
Special Olympics is a year-round sports organisation for athletes with intellectual disabilities and is supported by the Irish Sports Council and Sport NI. Team Ireland sponsors include Eircom, Aer Lingus and Gala who all pledged significant funds to help send Team Ireland to Los Angeles.
Massive congrats to @SO_Ulster Sarah Jane Johnston – 1st medal for #TeamIreland Bronze in 100m backstroke @LA2015 pic.twitter.com/ca84MCXDEK
— Sport NI (@SportNINet) July 27, 2015
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