PARALYMPICS Paralympic Medallist appointed as Head of Paralympic Swimming

The Paralympic Council of Ireland in association with Paralympic Swim Ireland today announced the appointment of Paralympic Gold Medallist, Mr. Dave Malone to the position of Head of Paralympic Swimming.

Malone, a three time Paralympic medal winner, will be responsible for implementing the High Performance Programme for Paralympic swimming over the coming years as part of the lead up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Speaking on his appointment to the position, Mr. Malone said, "I am delighted with the appointment and it's an honour for me to take this new role. I look forward to using my experience to meet the exciting challenge ahead, preparing our swimmers for London 2012."

Speaking on the appointment, President of the Paralympic Council of Ireland, Mr. Jimmy Gradwell said, "The Paralympic Council is delighted with the appointment of Dave Malone as Head of Irish Paralympic Swimming. Dave as a former medallist, has a wealth of knowledge and experience, which he will bring to the role. Our swimmers will reap the benefit of this and their future is in a safe pair of hands. I look forward to seeing their progress over the next few years."

Commenting on the appointment, CEO of the Paralympic Council of Ireland Mr. Liam Harbison said, "Dave Malone has worked incredibly hard to make the transition from athlete to team official in a very short space of time. With the help of the embryonic Career Development Programme and it's lead, Daragh Sheridan of the Irish Institute of Sport, Dave excelled in the recruitment phase and I very much welcome him to the team here at the PCI."

Mr. Malone, a native of South Co. Dublin, is one of Ireland's most successful Paralympic athletes, representing Ireland at 4 Paralympic Games. Competing with distinction, Dave Malone won Gold at the Syndey 2000 Paralympic Games and Silver at the Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. A coach with the Terenure Swim Team from 1994-2004, Mr Malone took up the position as head coach of the NAC Swim Team in 2004. Mr. Malone retired from active competition in 2008 following his participation at the Beijing Paralympic Games, bringing the curtains down on his distinguished swimming career

For further information

John Fulham
Communications Officer
Paralympic Council of Ireland
Tel: 087-2709182
e-mail: Communications@pcireland.ie
www.pcireland.ie