Special Olympic World Games Athens 2011 & USA 2015

So, the 2011 Athens Special Olympic World games have come and gone now, but the experience, excitement and joy that has beam given to all 226  Irish Special Olympians will last forever. Team Ireland 2011 consisted of 226 Special Olympic athletes who came from the four corners of Ireland, they participated amongst 183 other Nations at World class level, bringing home to Ireland 107 medals, 20 ribbons, after competing in 12 different sporting events, what an achievement for such a small Nation (Not everybody gets a medal)

Of course we here in Cobh had two Special Olympic athletes participating in these World games and between them they won Gold Silver and Bronze medals, which they flaunted at a recent Civic reception which was held in their honor by the Cobh Town Council.

Congratulations to Clodagh Kilcullen and Paul Bridgeman. The World Special Olympic Summer games are held every four years and immediately after World games training commence in their respective Clubs/Schools and of coursed with our friends with COPE foundation, This will be in preparation for the next World games which will be hosted by U S A in 2015, yes, it seems such a long time but with 11,000 Special Olympians in the Island of Ireland a lots of time and training must be put in.

There are five regions throughout Ireland, the Munster area alone cater for 2,400 athletes, there are 61 clubs, presently the is NO club in the Cobh area. Supervising the Athens 2011 Special Olympic were 25.000 Special Olympic volunteers, there was 188 Special Olympic volunteers requested from Ireland.

These volunteers assisted with the many different sporting events and programmes, such as healthy athletes programme. M A T S i.e., this programme offers opportunities for everyone. It is a non-competitive programme that aims to improve the physical abilities of the participants through circuit training.

May I thank the people of Cobh form kindness and above all encouragement shown to me over the years with Special Olympic Ireland,

Sincere thanks Frank O Brien (Avonlee).