SPORT: Vision impaired Paralympians receive awards

MINISTER of State at the Department of Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, last week presented awards from the NCBI to blind and vision impaired Paralympians from Team Ireland.  

The awards recognise the achievements of the athletes at Rio 2016 in the fields of athletics, tandem cycling and the first ever Para-triathlon.

Seven blind or vision impaired athletes and three tandem pilots attended the reception, held by NCBI, including Northside athletes Catherine Walsh, Greta Streimikyte and Orla Comerford. 

Greta is Lithuanian and lives in Swords. She made her Paralympic debut this year in Rio at the age of 21. Greta competed in the 1500m race and came fourth.  

Veteran Paralympian Catherine Walsh, who has now competed in a record seven Paralympics, is also from Swords and competed in the Para Triathlon. 

Also in attendance was Howth girl, Orla Comerford, who competed in the 100m race. Orla is just 19-years-of-age and made her Paralympic debut, where she reached the final of her event.

Gold medallist Jason Smyth, who won his fifth Gold Paralympic medal at Rio, and Katie George Dunleavy and pilot Eve McCrystal, who won their first Paralympic gold, also attended the reception.

Minister O’Donovan congratulated the athletes on their significant achievements and for inspiring young people who are blind or vision impaired.

“I was delighted to present these awards on behalf of the National Council for the Blind, particularly as it comes a day ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities,” he said.  

“It’s a particularly appropriate time to recognise the achievements of these athletes, whose journey to Rio 2016 has faced even greater hurdles than that of other elite athletes. 

“The legacy of their success goes far beyond the number of medals won. In inspiring young people who are blind or vision impaired to get involved in sport, at any level, these athletes are helping to develop the athletes who will go on to represent Ireland at Paralympics for many years to come.”