The legs of a champion, the body of a champion, and the voice of Liam Neeson. Special Olympics Ireland have named an 88 strong team of athletes to compete in this summers World Games to take place in Los Angeles.
To mark the occasion the Irish Sports Council has funded a stirring video, produced by Atomic Sport to highlight once more the powerful exhortation to see ability rather than disability.
The video is voiced by Liam Neeson and Special Olympics secured his services simply by having the temerity to ask.
The games will take place from 23rd July – August 2nd in Los Angeles, USA.
Ireland’s 88 competitors will join 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 177 countries for the Games which promise to be one of the sporting highlights of this year. Team Ireland will compete in 12 sports: aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football (5 & 11-a-side), golf, gymnastics, kayaking and table tennis.
200 Irish volunteers will also travel to help in the organisation of the games.
The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25, 2015 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, is expected to attract 80,000 spectators. Honorary Chairs of the Games are President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and California Governor Jerry Brown serving as Honorary Hosts.
“I am so proud of our athletes who will be representing their country and communities at the 2015 World Summer Games, said Special Olympics CEO Matt English
“Each athlete 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.”
“We also need to thank the many business and organisations who are continuing to pledge funds to help raise the necessary €440,000 needed to cover the cost of sending Team Ireland to the World Games.”
“We still have a way to go yet to reach our target of €440,000 and I really would encourage as many companies as possible to get behind Team Ireland. Full details of our Support an Athlete campaign are available at specialolympics.ie.”
“It also goes without saying that the commitments from our ongoing partners; eircom, Aer Lingus, the Irish Sports Council, Sport Northern Ireland and more recent relationships with the likes of Gala are helping to ensure that our athletes get to realise their dreams and demonstrate to their world their extraordinary and inspiring talents.”
