The Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio may seem a long way off in the afterglow of London but for those taking part the preparations are already well under way.
An event at UCD over the weekend will have swelled the number of those who might seriously be preparing to represent the country in Paralympic sport. 
The Cadbury sponsored Paralympic talent identification day saw 400 athletes with a physical disability turn up to see if they might have what it takes to be part of Team Ireland in four years time.
This years medalists Catherine Walsh, Mark Rohan, Helen Kearney and Michael McKillop, were among those present to offer advice and guidance to those setting out on the path to emulate them and there were exhibitions of a wide variety of 18 sports that could attract new participants.
Archery, Athletics, Boccia, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Judo, Powerlifting, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Tennis were among the sports that were demonstarted on the day at the new UCD Sports Centre on the Belfield Campus.
The sponsorship of the event by Cadbury forms a natural extension of the brand’s close association with the Irish Paralympic and Olympic Teams at London 2012.
“It’s great to think that the team’s success in London will inspire others with a disability to try Paralympic sport,” said Double Gold medallist Mark Rohan. “Given the level of raw talent on show at this event, I’ve no doubt we will be seeing some of those who came at the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016.”
“Our hope from the day is that people with a disability that have an interest in sport might be inspired to develop their own athletic ability, perhaps get involved in sports clubs at local level, or even to go on and start the journey towards becoming part of a Paralympic squad of the future,” added Liam Harbison, CEO of Paralympics Ireland.
One of the strengths of Paralympic Sport is that it is still at a level where such an event of broad popular appeal is possible to attract so many different sports under one roof.  Following Mark Rohan’s accident his first involvement was in playing wheelchair basketball before switiching to the hand cycling that brough him success in London and multiple world Championship titles.
Read the Sport for Business Interview with Cadbury’s Deirdre Harte in which she outlined the reasons for Cadbury’s involvement with Paralympic Sport and how it proven so successful.
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