Some of the athletes from Meath who will compete in the Special Olympics Ireland games next month.

Meath athletes prepare for Special Olympics Ireland Games

A team of 35 athletes from Meath will travel to Limerick next month for the Special Olympics Ireland Games. In all 1,500 athletes from all over Ireland will compete at the 2014 Games which run from 12th-15th June.
The Ireland Games will be one of the largest and most prestigious sporting events to take place in Ireland this summer and in attendance at the recent launch of the Leinster team at the Aviva Stadium was RTE presenter Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh and retired Ireland rugby legend Malcolm O’Kelly who were both on hand to lend their support and encouragement to the athletes
Some 300 athletes from nine counties, supported by over a hundred coaches and management team, will travel to Limerick to compete in 13 sports.
A total of 35 athletes from County Meath will participate, with a number of these being pictured at the launch in the Aviva Stadium.
Annette Codd, Regional Director for Special Olympics Leinster, said the Aviva Stadium launch was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Team Leinster, the athletes and coaches.
“Athletes are not only representing Leinster it is much more than this. They are representing their families, clubs and county. This is an honour that many of us in our sporting careers have not attained. The commitment and dedication of the athletes, coaches and management team has been immense.”
Athletes were selected in July 2013 and have been in training for the Ireland Games – which are sponsored by eircom - since November through a combination of monthly training sessions in their sport and locally training within their clubs.
“We are now in the final weeks of preparation for the Ireland Games and all of the hard work in training will pay off. I am certain that many personal bests will be broken and many medals won. We know the athletes will do their parish, county and Leinster proud in Limerick next month,” added Ms Codd.
A total of 1,500 athletes will participate in 13 sports in venues throughout Limerick over the course of the Ireland Games.
A team of approximately 100 athletes will be chosen to represent Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles in 2015.