Ballygowan’s Emma hoping to make waves at Abu Dhabi Special Olympics

Ballygowan’s Emma hoping to make waves at Abu Dhabi Special Olympics

23 January 2019

A BALLYGOWAN swimmer is hoping to make a big splash when she goes to the Middle East in March.

Twenty three year-old Emma Carlisle will be going for gold when she swims for Ireland at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.

Emma is one of seven athletes from Co Down included in the 91-strong Team Ireland squad for the Games which take place over March 4-21.

Newry is well represented with four athletes selected. They are equestrian athlete Megan McElherron (18), Fergal Gregory (19), who will take part in the kayaking events, and swimmers Connor McClorey (22) and Peadar Connolly (32).

Amy Watters (26) and Gemma O’Keefe (45), both from Bangor, will compete as part of the Team Ireland ladies’ basketball team.

The road to Abu Dhabi started four years ago. This week, the final preparations began in earnest with the official launch of Team Ireland for the 2019 World Games.

Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the largest sporting and humanitarian event in the world this year. Supported by a volunteer management team of 39, Team Ireland will join 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 countries. 

Team Ireland athletes from right across the island of Ireland will compete in a total of 12 sports — athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, kayaking, swimming and table tennis.

Supporters and sponsors caught up with the athletes for the official launch of the squad on Friday night in Dublin, ahead of their last residential Team Ireland training session this weekend. The 91 athletes travelled to Dublin to train together and ensure that they are ready to take on their biggest sporting challenge yet. 

Emma McMenamin, Head of Delegation for Team Ireland, said: “These athletes are extremely focused and determined and like any athlete facing into a major competition, they are putting 100% into their training. 

“It was great to see how excited the athletes are to be part of this huge event. To represent Team Ireland and compete on the world stage in Abu Dhabi is a big honour and one these Special Olympics athletes are not taking lightly.”

 Special Olympics Ireland is a sports organisation and charity that supports children and adults with intellectual disabilities, right across the island of Ireland.

As the countdown to the World Games gets under way, the organisation is calling on the business community and individuals in Northern Ireland to help raise much-needed funds to send the athletes to Abu Dhabi.

To cover the cost of sending Team Ireland to the Games, Special Olympics needs to raise just over £4,445 per athlete.

Shaun Cassidy, Regional Director Special Olympics Ulster: said: “It is a great honour for each and every Ulster athlete that has been selected for Team Ireland, having worked so hard over the past three years to qualify for these Games and to compete at international level and represent Team Ireland in Abu Dhabi.

 “With just over 50 days to go, the excitement is mounting, and we would encourage local businesses to come forward and put their support behind these dedicated athletes.

“Companies large and small across Northern Ireland can show their support for our Team Ireland athletes by visiting www.specialolympics.ie and getting involved in our Support an Athlete campaign.

“The business community has been so supportive and we are calling on you again to play your part and help make the dreams of our athletes come true.”

For further information about Team Ireland and the Support an Athlete programme, visit www.specialolympics.ie.

To keep up to date with Team Ireland’s preparations for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, follow Special Olympics Ireland and Special Olympics Ulster on Twitter, @SOIreland and @SO_Ulster and Facebook, facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIreland and Facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsUlster and follow the hashtags, #TeamIreland and #PlayYourPart.