THERE WAS great excitement on Tuesday 3 afternoon at the University Concert Hall when it was announced that the Special Olympics Ireland Games will be returning to Limerick in 2014 after such a successful games back in 2010.
Limerick has long been hailed as the Sports capital of Ireland and the Special Olympics is fantastic news as the games will be one of the largest and most prestigious events to take place in Ireland next year. Over 1,500 Special Olympics athletes from all over Ireland will descend on Limerick over four days from Thursday June 12 to Sunday 15, bringing with them 500 coaches and official delegates and over 3,000 family members.
The announcement was made at a gala event co-hosted by 2FM’s Will Leahy and Irish and Munster rugby legend David Wallace at University Concert Hall. Here, waiting guests enjoyed refreshments while being entertained by Music Generation and Ceol na Mara musicians before Special Olympics athletes from all regions in Ireland took part in a parade.
This was followed by the Flame of Hope which was carried into the ceremony by Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey and PSNI Constable Steve Douglas. There were speeches from Deputy Mayor of Limerick Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon; Denis O’Brien, chairman of Special Olympics Ireland’s Council of Patrons and Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland, followed by a superb performance from local dance group Flawless.
Last time organisers said they were overwhelmed by the brilliant response from volunteers and this time around they are looking forward to recruiting a team of 3,000 from all over Limerick city and county and beyond to help with next year’s games.
Athletes will compete in 13 different sports in the various top class sporting venues that we boast here in Limerick. Co-host David Wallace said local support would be essential to making the Games a success: “The 2014 Special Olympics Ireland Games will showcase the talents and skills of 1,500 Special Olympics athletes. Every one of these athletes will have worked extremely hard at club and regional level to reach these prestigious Games.
“It is now up to each and every one of us to show them the support they deserve. I call on all businesses in Limerick and the Munster region to get behind these Games and support these fantastic athletes in every way they can” – a call I’m sure will be answered once again by everyone here in Limerick.
In other great news this week, Special Olympics Ireland was also announced as official charity partner for the 2014 Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run, another fantastic sporting event here in Limerick!
