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r the Irish Paralympic rowing team Sarah Caffrey, Kevin Du Toit and Shane Ryan on the River Shannon. Pic Malcolm McNally
Ireland’s Paralympians ELITE athletes from Ireland’s 2012 Paralympics team are among the crowds celebrating at this year’s St Patrick’s Day festivities. With an exciting sporting year ahead they hope to drum up as much support as possible from the Irish in Britain for the Paralympic tournament this summer — while joining in the fun of our annual festival celebrating all things Irish. ‘Wear green and support your team this summer’ is the message from Liam Harbison, Paralympic Council of Ireland CEO and Chef de Mission for the 2012 team. “2012 is a huge year for Irish sport but also for the city of London,” he said. “The eyes of the world will be on the city for a stunning six-week festival of sport covering the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Paralympics in London is a huge opportunity for the Irish Diaspora to become aware of and celebrate the elite abilities of Ireland’s Paralympians. “We are delighted to be here supporting the St Patrick’s Festival with you in London and we look forward to receiving your support later this year.” Among the Paralympians you might spot in Trafalgar Square are world-
champion tandemcyclists Catherine Walsh and Fran Meehan and Ireland’s rowing team Kevin Du Toit, Sarah Caffrey, Shane Ryan, Anne Marie McDaid and Helen Arbuthnot. All of whom have already qualified for the 2012 team, alongside athletics stars Michael McKiIllop, Jason Smyth and Catherine O’Neill, hand cyclist Mark Rohan and cyclist Colin Lynch. “The Irish Team is preparing well for the Paralympics and we are looking to excite and surprise many people by exceptional performances in London,” Mr Harbison said. “We will travel to London with high hopes of achieving our target of five medals and the Irish in Britain can play a huge part by supporting the team — so wear green and fly the flag for your Paralympic Team later this year.” A total of 22 athletes have qualified for the Irish Paralympic team to date. The PCI expects to field a team of up to 42 for the 2012 Games, which run from August 29 September 9. See www.paralympics.ie
Olympic team salutes the Irish in Britain IRISH Olympians are gearing up for a summer of sport in London by attending the St Patrick’s Day festival in Trafalgar Square. Catch your favourites at the parade as Ireland Olympic Chef de Mission and former Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan leads the charge representing the Ireland team. Keep your eyes peeled for the athletics star, who will be joined by home-grown Irish gymnast Kieran Behan, high-jumper Deirdre Ryan and boxer Kenneth Egan — who have all qualified to represent Ireland in the London 2012 Games. Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey won’t make the St Patrick’s Day Festival celebrations but sent the following message to revellers: “The Irish Olympic team salutes the Irish in Britain on the occasion of the St Patrick’s Day Festival. “This superb event is the start of the team’s journey to the London Olympics in July and it is great that several of our Olympians will participate in the Festival Parade to highlight what will be the sporting event of the year.” He added: “Team Ireland looks forward to going for gold at the Games with the full support of the
Gymnast Kieran Behan.
Irish community in London and throughout Britain.” Ireland’s Olympians will be joined by member of the Olympic Council’s Executive Board, William O’Brien, Peadar Casey, Dermot Sherlock and Dermot Henihan. To date, 27 athletes have qualified for the Irish Olympic team in six sports and the OCI expects to field a team of approximately 50 in 10 sports by the end of the qualification period in June.
Chef de Mission and former Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan.