World Special Olympic Summer Games Athens 2011

The Worlds Special Olympic Summer Games are held every four years. Prior to these games our National Games take place, 1900 Special Olympic athletes (from the four corners of Ireland) participated – six of the athletes from COBH. These six athletes on their return from the games proudly presented their Gold, Silver and Bronze medals which were won at the tames at a Civic Reception held in their honour by the Cobh Town Council.

COBH athletes have been participating in these games since the 2003 Dublin World games and have represented the town of Cobh in an efficient and very able manner doing COBH proud. There will be a total of approx. 115 Special Olympic athletes selected from these games to represent Ireland in the 2011 World Special Olympic Summer games in Athens in late June of this year and Cobh’s very own Miss Clodagh Kilcullen has been selected as an athlete for these games.

There will also be 207 Special Olympic volunteers assisting these athletes. Cobh’s Frank O’Brien has once again has been selected as a volunteer. Each volunteer, prior to their selection, had to include 500 euro with their application to be accepted. They will  have to fundraise 3,250 euro prior to their departure to Athens. It is hoped that the kind and generous people of Cobh will continue to financially support this worthy cause. As I am the sole volunteer from COBH, I will need the support of all.

Special Olympic Ireland has opened a bank account with the Bank of Ireland in Cobh and lodgement slips for same can be had there. The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games will take place from June 25th to July 4th 2011 in Athens, Greece. 7,500 Special Olympics Athletes from 185 nations (including Ireland) will compete in 22 Olympic-type sports during these Games.

Facts and Figures

Host Town Programme: June 20-24 2011
Opening Ceremony June 25th, Olympic Stadium
Closing Ceremony July 4th, Kallimarmaron
Panathinaikon Stadium
Sports 22
Venues 30
Athletes 7,500
Coaches 2,500
Technical Officials/Referees 3,000
Volunteers 25,000
Special Olympics Families 40,000
Media Representatives 3,000

Team Ireland will be there too, representing all the Special Olympics athletes in Ireland, as well as their families and local communities with great pride!