The Irish Special Olympics team has returned home from the 2013 World Winter Games with a haul of 12 medals, three of them Gold.
The skiiers and floorball team were greeted by friends, family and supporters at Dublin Airport last night after what has been one of the most successful ever overseas tournaments for an Irish team.
Speaking about Team Ireland’s performance at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games Matt English, Chief Executive Special Olympics Ireland said “Representing your country on the World sporting stage is huge honour for any athlete but doing so well and returning with medals is an incredible achievement. I would like to pay tribute to every member of Team Ireland for representing us all so well at these prestigious Games and for being such wonderful sporting ambassadors Ireland”.
John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council added “We are all very proud of the Irish team’s performances in South Korea. Everyone put in a terrific personal display and it is a bonus to come home with medals. I want to pay tribute to the athletes, the support staff at Special Olympics Ireland and to all the family members and volunteers who worked so hard to make this sporting adventure possible”.
Nick Harkness, Acting Chief Executive, Sport Northern Ireland said “Sport Northern Ireland would like to congratulate all of Team Ireland’s Special Olympics athletes on their recent achievements at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games and achieving an impressive 12 medal wins at these Games. We wish them continued success in their sporting careers.”
Eircom has been a long term supporter of Special Olympics since 2005 and they were joined as a central supporter of the Winter Olympics this year by Electric Ireland.  They included the organisation as part of an innovative ‘Powering Kindness’ initiative at the end of last year which ended up producing a dividend of €50,000 to be put directly towards the cost of sending the team to South Korea. 
The three Gold medallists were Stuart Brierton from Bray, Gary Burton from Sallynoggin in Dublin and Rosalind Connolly from Portadown.
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