TWO Southside athletes returned to a heroes’ welcome at Dublin Airport last week.
Clutching the medals they won after an incredible performance at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea, Gary Burton from Sallynoggin and Katherine Daly from Dalkey were greeted with cheers and shouts of joy from family, friends and supporters.
Team Ireland, which consisted of 14 athletes and a management team of eight, returned to Dublin with an impressive haul of 12 medals – three gold, six silver and three bronze from their endeavours on the slopes and the floorball rink.
Gary and Katherine were two of the athletes who returned with additional cargo with them in the form of gold and silver.
Gary took gold in the Intermediate Giant Slalom event while Katherine won two silver medals in the Novice Super G and Novice Slalom event. Both Gary and Katherine are members of Kilternan Karvers Special Olympics Club, which operates out of the Ski Club of Ireland in Kilternan.
The athletes receive a rapturous welcome from family members, friends and supporters, some of whom had travelled home early from the games in South Korea so that they could be there to see them come home.
Speaking about Team Ireland’s performance, Matt English, Chief Executive Special Olympics Ireland, said:
“Representing your country on the world sporting stage is a huge honour for any athlete but doing so well and returning with medals is an incredible achievement. I would like to pay tribute to every member of Team Ireland for representing us all so well at these prestigious games and for being such wonderful sporting ambassadors Ireland.
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John Treacy, the CEO of the Irish Sports Council, said:
“We are all very proud of the Irish team’s performances in South Korea. Everyone put in a terrific personal display and it is a bonus to come home with medals. I want to pay tribute to the athletes, the support staff at Special Olympics Ireland and to all the family members and volunteers who worked so hard to make this sporting adventure possible.
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The 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games was the biggest winter sports competition to take place in the world this year. It is the largest winter multi-sports events ever held in South Korea.
A total of 3,300 athletes from 112 countries showcased their skills and abilities over the eight days of competition.
For further information about Team Ireland’s involvement at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games visit www.specialolympics.ie/wintergames