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Ireland PM wishes best of luck to Special Olympics atheletes
Dublin, Ireland, June24: Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver more than 30 years ago, the Special Olympics is now active in more than 160 countries throughout the world. The games are for people with learning disabilities and it gives them an opportunity to participate in a major sporting event and demonstrate their sporting skills.
Dublin, Ireland, June24: Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver more than 30 years
ago, the Special Olympics is now active in more than 160
countries throughout the world. The games are for people with
learning disabilities and it gives them an opportunity to
participate in a major sporting event and demonstrate their
sporting skills.
The games kicked off on saturday (June 21) night with an
impressive opening ceremony at Dublin`s Croke Park. This is
the first time this major event had been held outside of the
United States.
Soccer is one of the most popular sports taking place at
the games and is proving to be highly competitive. In the
men`s 11 a side round matches on monday (June 23) the taller
and stronger looking German team beat USA 8-1.
The German coach explained how the whole experience for
the player is so beneficial.
"All the players learn a lot by abiding by the rules and
realising they must play for each other and stick by the
rules, for their outside life (it is good), it`s good for
their disciple, it`s good for all their activities in life",
the coach said.
The Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern took time out of his
schedule to visit the different venues and he cheered on the
Irish soccer team.
"Well, for the participants it is, sport is a great leveller, and you`re as good as you can be. They have trained to the extent of their abilities and it is a victory for them, of their abilities over their disabilities", Ahern said.
Unfortunately, politics weren`t completely excluded from the competition. In the five a side soccer earlier in the morning, Algeria and Saudi Arabia refused to play each other based on political grounds after they had been drawn in a pool together. Amendments were made, but teams were told that would be the only exception.
Team work and healthy competition was also alive in the handball event. Steven Ford, a handball player in the United States team demonstrated his handiwork on the court against Algeria who they drew against 7-7 in the round robin. "India, Australia, everybody and the world (is) watching the play, cheering, fellowshiping. We are loving one another, that`s the important thing", explained Ford. The Algerian handball coach explained how glad he was able to bring a team to the Special Olympics.
"And, with us, we have the responsibility for practical sports. Sports practice also develops many things (for) these people here. And we thought, that is, we had the occasion, to participate in the world games. We would not refuse. It is an honour for all of us to be here", the coach, Yacine Dourouila.
The games involves 166 International Delegations, over 7,000 Athletes and 3,000 Coaches and Official Delegates. Events include Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Roller-skating, Sailing, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Team Handball, and Volleyball.
For the sportsmen and women at the Special Games, not only is it an opportunity for them on a personal level, for achievement and enjoyment, but the games hopes to widen awareness to the world of people with learning disabilities. For many of the athletes, it is their first time outside their own countries and away from their families. The culture and warm welcome the teams say they have encountered in Ireland has all added to their wonderful experience so far.
For some lucky athlete`s they also got to shake hands and even exchange a few light punches with one of sports greatest icons - Muhammad Ali. The former world boxing champion brought cheers and excitement to the handball courts on monday, as he stopped off to meet players before flying home. Despite being ill with Parkinson`s disease and unable to walk long distances, the legend had also attended the opening ceremony on saturday.
After smiling and joking with the athletes, he looked relaxed but tired after his busy schedule in Dublin and he left the handball venue in his caddy car. Individual sports were also underway on Monday, including the powerlifting. Cheers of encouragement rang out in the arena as and the female athletes competition got underway.
Amal Zeynalova, one of 46 athletes competing for Azerbaijan was spurred on the event by her coach and the crowd cheering. For the United States, Carol Ann Connors a fierce competitor showed a grim face of determination as she also competed in the Squat category.
Recently, Connors was selected state of Virginia "Athlete of the Year" for her prowess in powerlifting in addition to her enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
In 1999, she earned four bronze medals in powerlifting and was third in her weight class in the world in the Special Olympics. This time she is also taking part in the golf. Powerlifting athletes compete in any number of the individual events offered - Squat, Bench press and Deadlift.
Athletes may also enter one of the combined events based upon the individual events the athlete has competed in: either the Combined Bench press and Deadlift or the Combined Squat, Bench press and Deadlift.
Bureau Report
"Well, for the participants it is, sport is a great leveller, and you`re as good as you can be. They have trained to the extent of their abilities and it is a victory for them, of their abilities over their disabilities", Ahern said.
Unfortunately, politics weren`t completely excluded from the competition. In the five a side soccer earlier in the morning, Algeria and Saudi Arabia refused to play each other based on political grounds after they had been drawn in a pool together. Amendments were made, but teams were told that would be the only exception.
Team work and healthy competition was also alive in the handball event. Steven Ford, a handball player in the United States team demonstrated his handiwork on the court against Algeria who they drew against 7-7 in the round robin. "India, Australia, everybody and the world (is) watching the play, cheering, fellowshiping. We are loving one another, that`s the important thing", explained Ford. The Algerian handball coach explained how glad he was able to bring a team to the Special Olympics.
"And, with us, we have the responsibility for practical sports. Sports practice also develops many things (for) these people here. And we thought, that is, we had the occasion, to participate in the world games. We would not refuse. It is an honour for all of us to be here", the coach, Yacine Dourouila.
The games involves 166 International Delegations, over 7,000 Athletes and 3,000 Coaches and Official Delegates. Events include Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Roller-skating, Sailing, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Team Handball, and Volleyball.
For the sportsmen and women at the Special Games, not only is it an opportunity for them on a personal level, for achievement and enjoyment, but the games hopes to widen awareness to the world of people with learning disabilities. For many of the athletes, it is their first time outside their own countries and away from their families. The culture and warm welcome the teams say they have encountered in Ireland has all added to their wonderful experience so far.
For some lucky athlete`s they also got to shake hands and even exchange a few light punches with one of sports greatest icons - Muhammad Ali. The former world boxing champion brought cheers and excitement to the handball courts on monday, as he stopped off to meet players before flying home. Despite being ill with Parkinson`s disease and unable to walk long distances, the legend had also attended the opening ceremony on saturday.
After smiling and joking with the athletes, he looked relaxed but tired after his busy schedule in Dublin and he left the handball venue in his caddy car. Individual sports were also underway on Monday, including the powerlifting. Cheers of encouragement rang out in the arena as and the female athletes competition got underway.
Amal Zeynalova, one of 46 athletes competing for Azerbaijan was spurred on the event by her coach and the crowd cheering. For the United States, Carol Ann Connors a fierce competitor showed a grim face of determination as she also competed in the Squat category.
Recently, Connors was selected state of Virginia "Athlete of the Year" for her prowess in powerlifting in addition to her enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
In 1999, she earned four bronze medals in powerlifting and was third in her weight class in the world in the Special Olympics. This time she is also taking part in the golf. Powerlifting athletes compete in any number of the individual events offered - Squat, Bench press and Deadlift.
Athletes may also enter one of the combined events based upon the individual events the athlete has competed in: either the Combined Bench press and Deadlift or the Combined Squat, Bench press and Deadlift.
Bureau Report