The Special Olympics World Winter Games will take place in Turin and Sestriere in Northern Italy from March 8th to 18th, bringing together over 1,500 athletes from 103 countries to compete in eight thrilling winter sports.
This groundbreaking event will celebrate the incredible talents and unwavering determination of people with intellectual disabilities, highlighting the transformative power of inclusion through sport.
Among the competitors are 14 amazing athletes from Team Ireland, ready to dazzle the competition in Skiing and Floorball.
I will be travelling out to the games in my role as a director of Special olympics Ireland and will be reporting from the Opening Ceremony on Saturday night, the floorball and the skiing over the coming days.
Only one percent of Special Olympics athletes ever get to compete at this world stage and the effort they have put in through their preparation, training, fundraising and with the support of their families and clubs is humbling and inspiring.
With support from commercial partners eir, Aer Lingus, Sports Direct, Gala, and Actavo, as well as funding partners the Government of Ireland, Sport Ireland, Sport NI, the Community Foundation for Ireland, Rethink Ireland, Pobal, the JP McManus Pro-Am and Denis O’Brien, they are about to turn dreams into reality
Join us in cheering them on as they strive for gold and inspire the world with their passion and perseverance.
Our 14 great athletes are:
Alpine Skiing – Lucy Best and Caolán McConville from Skiability NI, Donal Brennan, Lorraine Whelan and Maire Connolly from Kilternan Karvers, and Clive Healy from Waterford SO Club.
Floorball – Damien Kirwan James Upton and Niall Corcoran from Waterford SO Club, Frank O’Dwyer from Tipperary SO Club, and Gavin Bourke, James Hunter, Joseph Sheehan and Jack Buckley from Mallow United SO Club
We also have almost 50 volunteers who have each raised a minimum of €3,000 to be part of something special.
Further Reading for Sport for Business members: Sports Direct Sign Up to Special Olympics Partnership
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
The homecoming from the last Summer Games in berlin was one of the most emotional sporting events I have attended. Being there to witness the culmination of so much work and effort is very special.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The Opening Ceremony in on Saturday, March 8th
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