If you hear cheering across Northern Ireland today and tomorrow the chances are it might be coming from South Lake Leisure Centre and Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre where the Special Olympics Winter Games are being staged.
With 207 athletes from all corners of Ireland set to participate in the three-day residential games, it promises to be very special.
Comprising of two sports, Alpine Skiing (at Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre) and Floorball (South Lake Leisure Centre), the event is set to be one of the largest games yet with 2024 being the first time that three regions will participate in Alpine Skiing and all five regions represented in Floorball.
This is the first time that the games will be staged in Northern Ireland, and the first time the Winter Games have been staged since 2016 with the 2020 renewal lost to Covid.
For many, this will be their first opportunity to compete on an All-Ireland level. These Ireland Games are the qualifying event for the World Winter Games in Turin, Italy in 2025.
“It is a very exciting time for the Ulster region, with the Ireland Winter Games coming north for the first time ever,” said Special Olympics Ulster Chair Angela Litter.
“We will be counting on a lot of home support this weekend to give a warm Ulster welcome to the athletes from right across Ireland and make these games a great success.”
The Games will officially open with a Law Enforcement Torch Run prior to the Opening Ceremony layter today.
Throughout the weekend of games, a Young Athletes Festival will take place in South Lake Leisure Centre on Friday and Saturday evening for all competitors.
Athletes can also avail of a Healthy Athlete Screening Programme and participate in other health-related activities at the games.
Aer Lingus, Bank of Ireland and UCD are among the friends of Special Olympics Ireland from across the Sport for Business community.
We’ll be there at the Games on Saturday and looking forward to seeing the power of sport in glorious reality.
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