Irish Paralympic Team step up London 2012 Preparations

15 Apr 2012


With 138 days to go to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Paralympics Ireland gathered the Irish squad in Limerick for a Multi-Sport Training Camp. 46 athletes from 10 sports backed up by the full Paralympics Ireland support team will participate in 4 days of training, sports science and medical support, information sessions, media and team building activities.


The targets for Team Ireland at the London Games, as laid out in Irish Sports Council's Beijing Review, is to secure 5 medals in London, including 3 gold medals to match the haul in Beijing. The team are certainly on track to achieve that target in London with 5 current world champions across 8 events likely to be selected in the travelling Irish Team on June 28th.


The current world champions, all of whom are in attendance in Limerick include:

  • Catherine Walsh / Fran Meehan in tandem cycling (Track 3km pursuit)
  • Mark Rohan in Handcycling (Road race and time trial)
  • Colin Lynch in cycling (Track 4km pursuit & Road time trial)
  • Michael McKillop in athletics (800m & 1500m)
  • Catherine O'Neill in athletics (Discus)


Liam Harbison, Chef de Mission for the Irish Team commented: "With 138 days to go, and team selection due in June, the pressure on the athletes is growing to up their performances to secure their place at the London Games. The focus at this camp is very much on enhancing all aspects of performance and to provide essential support services to the athletes from our professional backroom team. As always the welcome in Limerick has been top class and we look forward to our final visit in August prior to departing to London."


Speaking from Limerick, World Handcycling Champion, Westmeath native Mark Rohan said: "These camps are essential in our preparation as a team for London 2012. Bringing together athletes from 10 sports to mould them into one team is a complex task, but one in which Paralympics Ireland have succeeded greatly. The performance mindset of the whole team is sure to accrue great returns in London. The added benefit of the comprehensive sports science and medical services available ensures that all of the athlete's needs are being catered for."


The Irish Paralympic Team will be formally announced on June 28th in Dublin and will be followed by the first ever Paralympics Ireland Camp n Northern Ireland from 28th June - 1st July.