Special Olympics heroes honoured in Mansion House after World Winter Games success

Dublin Lord Mayor Emma Blain hosted a ceremony honouring the 14 athletes who competed in the Turin Games in floorball and alpine skiing. Team Ireland secured a total of 11 medals at the Games, comprising five gold, three silver, and three bronze.

Máire Connolly took one gold, while Lucy Best and Caolan McConville won two golds each, all for skiing.

Donal Brennan and Clive Healy took silvery medals for skiing, while Clive Healy, Máire Connolly and Lucy Best also won bronze medals. Ireland’s men’s floorball team also won bronze.

Matt English, Special Olympics CEO, said: “I was really excited to see the whole team again this evening. While it was great to see the team perform so well, it’s nice a month later to reflect on what they achieved. Both the athletes and the coaches and the whole management team.”

“For our athletes, unlike professional athletes that may have a 10- or 15-year career where there is a limelight on an ongoing basis, for some of these athletes this might be the only time they will compete on a world stage like this. It is a huge honour for them.”

Mr English also hailed the importance of the charity’s volunteers, who give up their time to support the 6,200 Special Olympics athletes across the country.

“It’s really inspirational. I have met so many volunteers over the years, I have heard consistently that they would have said they would try volunteering for three months and then many are still involved 20 or 30 years later. What they invariably find is they get more back themselves for being involved than they put in,” Mr English said.

For athletes who are considering getting involved at the grassroots level, there is an abundance of choices and benefits, he said.

“They experience inclusion and a feeling of community when they join. We now offer 15 different sports, meaning we have athletes participating in the Young Athlete programme learning the ABCs of support, “ Mr English added.

“We also have older athletes in their 70s, and a few in their 80s, who are involved in bowling and bocce or even volunteering themselves.

“Then we have the more competitive athletes too. So depending on what your level is we make sure there is something for everyone.”

The charity’s all-Ireland collection day will take place on Friday May 2 with Special Olympics Ireland urging the public to donate and give as little as €2, which can make all the difference for the organisation.

Mr English said: “It is a critical day for us. As a charitable organisation, we receive state funding along with donations from our valued sponsors and corporate partners, but it is also essential we raise money from the general public.”

The Lord Mayor said she was “honoured” to host the event.

Ms Blain said: “I am super proud on behalf of the citizens of Dublin to recognise the athletes’ achievements. And not just the athletes but the volunteers that take part and their families and friends. We all know the effort it takes to be an athlete but you can’t do that without support. The Special Olympics only functions with the amazing efforts of the volunteers that are involved.”