Good Luck to Mark Whelan & All The Team in the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games
The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games will take place in Athens from the 25th June – 4th of July. This will be one of the biggest sporting events in the World this year with 7,500 Special Olympics athletes from 185 nations participating. Ireland will be represented by a team of 126 athletes and 49 coaches. Team Ireland will compete in 12 sports: aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, kayaking and table tennis.
Special Olympics World Summer Games are the highest level of sports competition for Special Olympics athletes and they take place every four years. Participation at World Games level is the result of a huge amount of dedication and hard work on the part of all the athletes and coaches involved.
About Special Olympics Ireland:
Special Olympics Ireland provides year-round sports training and competition for people with an intellectual disability throughout the island of Ireland. 10,690 athletes participate in Special Olympics in Ireland. They train week-in, week-out in 413 clubs throughout Ireland. They are supported by a team of 25,000 volunteers. For further information about Special Olympics Ireland visit: www.specialolympics.ie
Supporting Mark Whelan in the Special Olympics 2011
Mark Whelan from Co.Laois is one of 126 athletes who will represent Ireland at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The Games will run from 25th June to 4th July 2011 in Athens, Greece.
Mark will participate in the football (soccer) competition and is currently busy training and preparing for the Games. He first became involved in Special Olympics through the National Learning Network in Portlaoise. He loves being involved in Special Olympics as it gives him the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
Mark is looking forward to representing Ireland at international level. He feels it is a great achievement to have been chosen to travel to Athens. He also took part in the Limerick Games last year. He has competed in other competitions also where he has been placed first many times.
He really enjoys the recognition he now gets with being involved in Special Olympics Ireland. He loves travelling to new places and meeting new people.
Mark himself says being part of Special Olympics is a great experience and the excitement he experiences before a game is very special to him. It also helps him to keep fit and healthy.
He would love to visit Old Trafford to see his favourite team Manchester United. His favourite sporting hero is Roger Federer. When Mark is not busy preparing for the Games he likes to read books and play the playstation. He also enjoys the odd game of snooker or basketball. His favourite song is ‘Galway Girl’. His favourite actor is Pat Short and he enjoys watching Fair City.
126 athletes will represent Ireland at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. They will be accompanied by 49 coaches as well as a huge number of family members and supporters. Team Ireland is proudly sponsored by eircom.
A total of 7,500 Special Olympics athletes from 185 nations will compete in 22 Olympic-type sports during the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. To follow Ireland’s progress in the lead up to and during the Games please visit: www.specialolympics.ie
Fundraising:
Join us every Thursday morning for a Coffee Morning for Mark Whelan of the Special Olympics until 12noon. All support is greatly received with 100% of all proceeds going to Mark's fund. All it will cost you is €3.00 for Tea or Coffee with a selection of nice treats to enjoy so please come along and help support this very worthy cause.