Paralympics Ireland marked 100 days to the Paralympic Games in Rio this September with the unveiling of a brand brand new app and online centre where people can get to know more about the stars that will be representing Ireland.
Sport for Business was out at the Irish Institute of Sport yesterday to meet with five of those who will be flying the flag and inspiring the nation with their achievements.
Ciara Staunton in hand cycling, Greta Streimikyte who took six seconds off her personal best in 1500 metres at the weekend, Niamh McCarthy who won bronze at the World Championships in Doha last year and Luke Evans and Dillon Sheridan from the CP football team all feature as part of the app as the organisation begins what will be its most comprehensive ever promotion push behind the team.
It will allow sports fans in Ireland and across the globe to follow the progress of the Irish Paralympic team on the road to Rio. There will be notifications of medal wins live from the sidelines in Brazil, along with interviews and snippets from the athletes and staff live in the moment of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
The app also features a special fan wall for supporters of the team to leave a picture and message for the squad. This was kicked off yesterday by Gordon Darcy who is an ambassador for Paralympics Ireland and sits on the Commercial Advisory Group
“We’ve been working extremely hard on this app over the last few months to ensure that it is very user-friendly and full of engaging content and updates for fans to enjoy,” said Paralympics Ireland’s Media & Events Manager, Mary McGuire.
“We are delighted that we will be able to provide updates live from Rio this year through the app in addition to all of our other social media platforms, and we believe it will certainly be a must-have for any Irish Paralympic supporter this year.”
The latest instalment of Paralympics Ireland’s compelling ‘More Than Sport’ videos was also released exclusively on the app this morning and features Irish CP football captain Luke Evans. Supporters can view the latest video by downloading the app for free from either the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
The unveiling of the app was the second big announcement on an action-packed landmark day on the road to Rio, following on from the news that national broadcaster, RTÉ, will be providing live coverage of the Paralympic Games, proudly sponsored by Allianz.
Also speaking at today’s 100 Days to Rio event, Denis Toomey, Chef de Mission for Paralympics Ireland for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games outlined how preparations are going ahead of September’s event.
“We are really looking forward to this year’s Games,” he stated. “We are currently on track to have approximately 44 athletes representing Ireland in Rio across 10 different sports.”
“While we know that there are many challenges ahead with these Games, it is hoped that having the Olympic Games beforehand will see any issues that arise dealt with efficiently, and it is hoped that services available for the Olympics will not be reduced for the Paralympics.”
“Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joe Conway, is keeping the staff and athletes informed regularly on any updates about the Zika virus. He is in regular contact with his colleagues nationally and internationally and is monitoring the situation closely.”
As part of the #MoreThanSport campaign to raise the funds required to send Ireland;s team to the Games with the best chance of Success, Paralympics Ireland is hosting a very special event in Dublin on Saturday July 2nd. Contact Patrick[@]Paralympics.ie if you would like to help these fine athletes by taking a table on the night or helping in some other way.
