Special Olympics 2006
Law Enforecement Torch Run for the Special Olympics in Belfast
Torch Run at Vandeleur Walled Garden,Kilrush on 17th June, 2006
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Special Olympics Torch Run in Kilrush on 17 June 2006
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Press Room
21st May 2006
The Torch Run teams, comprised of 30 PSNI and Garda Síochána student officers and six Special Olympics athletes will visit 49 towns and cities throughout the Island of Ireland with the Special Olympics Torch. The Flame of Hope will make its way to the Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Games on June 21st in the Odyssey Arena in Belfast and light the cauldron that will signify the start of the Games.
The Polar Plunge, a novel fundraising event, also took place whereby many well known supporters of Special Olympics “took the plunge” and were dunked into a water tank outside City Hall. Plungers such as ACC Duncan McCausland, PSNI, Mr Barry Gilligan, Vice Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Irwin Montgomery, Chair of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland and Belfast businessmen Bill Wolsey and Mark Byrne, amongst others, participated in this fun way of raising money to benefit people with a learning disability in Northern Ireland and raise awareness for the Games in Belfast this June.
The Torch Run begins on Friday June 16th in Cork City travelling through Templemore and Thurles in Co Tipperary. Then the team splits into two routes (see attached appendix) so that the Flame of Hope can visit as many communities as possible thought the island before rejoining in Belfast on June 21st for the spectacular Opening Ceremony. All along the route, hundreds of people from local communities, including local police officers and gardaí, schoolchildren, and local Special Olympics athletes, will turn out to attend local Torch Run ceremonies organised to support the team.
Speaking at the route announcement of the Torch Run and the Polar Plunge, Assistant Chief Constable of the PSNI Duncan McCausland said, “Our Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee was set up in 2003 after the Special Olympics World Games as a way of continuing our support for the Special Olympics movement, particularly in Ireland, and today marks a special milestone in that work as the Special Olympics Ireland Games are in Belfast this year.
“As a Police Service we take this very seriously with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána. Indeed all new entrants to the Police Colleges North and South, go through a special SOLE training programme, and there are Special Olympics representatives in each of our 29 District Command Units.”
Deputy Commissioner Peter Fitzgerald of the Garda Síochána added, "An Garda Síochána are delighted to be represented here in Belfast today to show, in tandem with our colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, our commitment to the Special Olympics ideals. We salute the enthusiasm and dedication of all involved, particularly the athletes, who are an inspiration to each one of us who has had the pleasure of sharing the Special Olympics experience with them."
About Special Olympics Ireland
Special Olympics Ireland was established in 1978 and is an all island programme.
Special Olympics Ireland offers a year-round sports training and competition programme for children and adults with a learning disability in a variety of Olympic type sports. By offering a range of events in each sport an opportunity is provided for all athletes, irrespective of their ability, to participate at their own level.
There are over 34,000 people with a learning disability on the island of Ireland. 10,500 of those individuals participate in Special Olympics and have benefited socially, emotionally and physically as a result.
Special Olympics Ireland Mission Statement
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sport for children and adults with a learning disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
For further information, please see our website www.specialolympics.ie
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