As Team Ireland gears up for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne and Sport Ireland came together today at the Sport Ireland Institute to wish them luck in extending the halo effect of Paris 2024.
Ireland is sending a 35-strong team to the Paris Games, which start on August 28th. The athletes will compete across nine sports. Many are en route to Paris via training camps in Italy and Portugal, with the Opening Ceremony to take place one week from tomorrow.
“I want to extend my very best wishes to Team Ireland in representing our country at the Paralympic Games,” said Minister Byrne. “I have no doubt that each member of Team Ireland will represent our country with pride and excellence. Most importantly, I hope everyone on the team savours this incredible experience.”
“The Paralympic Games provide an extraordinary platform for our athletes to display their talents on the global stage. To Team Ireland, my message is to go to Paris and give it your all, and to know that your entire nation is cheering you on.”
He referenced the closing of the Gender Gap in sport and that doing the same in Disability Sport was now a priority.
Government funding of high-performance Paralympic Sport is up 36 percent in Paris over the Tokyo cycle, and 22 Para athletes are in receipt of International carding funding, a number that is likely to rise again in the LA Cycle.
Combined across all funding streams, Sport Ireland will have invested over €8m in Paralympics Ireland throughout the Paris Cycle 2021-2024.
“On behalf of Paralympics Ireland, I would like to thank the Department of Sport, Sport Ireland, and the Sport Ireland Institute for their support throughout this Games cycle,” said Paralympics Ireland President Eimear Breathnach, who admitted to being very excited and not a little nervous about the days and weeks ahead.
“We are looking forward now to seeing our 35 athletes competing at the Paralympic Games from August 28th in nine different sports. This is the culmination of so much work and preparation from the athletes and their support teams, and I do not doubt that they will be ready to perform at their best on this great stage.”
“Everyone on the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown wants to wish Team Ireland well as they prepare to head off to the Paralympic Games,” added Dr Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland.
“All the athletes have demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill to arrive at this moment, and we eagerly anticipate supporting them as they strive for excellence in Paris.”
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