Feature
My Experience at the 2003 Special Olympics World Games
By KEVIN O’CONNOR
Special Olypian Athlete In 1996, the Special Olympics came to North Cork. The Duhallow Riders Special Olympics Equestrian Club was formed in Churchtown riding school with Norma Bourke as instructor.
I was one of eleven athletes who joined along with Kieran Buckley, Jermy Brosnan, Norita Hedigan, Diarmuid Sweetnam, Emily Hurley, Maeve Long, Lisa O’Brien, John Fehan, Patrick Ahern, and David O’Connell. We trained once a week every Thursday. As time went on, we improved our riding skills under the expert coaching of Norma Bourke, and we took place in Special Olympics
Issue 69 July 29, 2022
Competitions winning medals which qualified us to Represent Munster in Ireland’s Competitions. The Special Olympics World Summer Games was always held in the USA, and went outside of the Country for the very first time with Ireland being picked to hold the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin. In 2003, the President of Ireland Mary McAleese, and the President of South Africa Nelson Mandela opened the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Croke Park in Dublin.
DiscoverDuhallow@irdduhallow.com
On the day we came home to Kanturk town, there was a big reception. Oh boy, what a night to never forget! This was one big dream and one goal, to take part in one massive event.
15
