Special Olympics heroes return home with a big haul of medals

Meath's Special Olympics athletes returned from Athens on Tuesday 5th July with a mighty haul of five medals from just six competitors. The triumphant team flew back to a heroes' welcome at Dublin Airport with with four coveted bronze medals for basketball and one precious silver for golf from the World Summer Games. The county was represented by six athletes at the games and two official delegates alongside Kells's Louise Tinne of Rehabcare, the medical co-ordinator for the Irish team with responsibility for ensuring the health and welfare of not only the 126 athletes prior to and during the games, but also the coaches and the management team. The Meath represenatives, Edward Kennedy, Julianstown (athletics); Liam Brady, Dunshaughlin; John Blake, Navan; Stephen Browne, Navan; Robert McDonald, Dunshaughlin, (all basketball), and Laura Kelly, Oldcastle (golf), did the county proud. The basketballers all picked up bronze medals in Athens, while, despite an heroic effort, Edward Kennedy picked up an excellent fourth place in an extremely difficult field but managed to achieve two personal bests at the games, while Laura Kelly bagged a fantastic silver from the golf skills field. On Thursday 7th July, Navan Arch Club held a welcome home party when even the rain could not dampen the spirits or the fire of the barbeque in honour of the returning basketball heroes. The Arch Club got together at Causey Farm to welcome home their athletes, John Blake, Stephen Brown, Robert McDonald and Liam Brady, who returned home choruses of 'Olé Olé' and the popping of champagne corks. In total, Team Ireland returned with 107 medals - 31 gold, 44 silver, 32 bronze medals and dozens of place ribbons. Some 10 athletes also recorded personal best records. Annette Codd, the Leinster organiser for the Special Olympics, praised the "fantastic achievement" of all involved. "We're extremely proud of our Meath athletes," she said. "They were great ambassadors for their country, themselves and their families and they have competed at the highest level with the highest honours; they're now at the same standing as anyone who ever represented their country and that is a fantastic achievement for all concerned, including organisers and families." She praised the dedication of the athletes who have trained for four years to make it to Athens and praised their locals clubs and families, "without whose support the athletes would not have reached that standard".