PARALYMPICS PCI Welcomes Equipment Grant as Major Boost to Preparations for Beijing

The Paralympic Council of Ireland warmly welcomes equipment grant as a major boost to the Irish Team’s quest for success at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games

The Paralympic Council of Ireland warmly welcomes the announcement today by the Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, Mr. John O’Donoghue T.D., of an allocation of €97,000 for High Performance Equipment for Ireland’s Paralympic squads targeting success at the Paralympic Games.  This initiative in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council (ISC) and the Irish Institute of Sport (IIS) ensures Ireland’s athletes will have world class equipment to aid performance at the 2008 Games and allows them to hit the start line knowing their equipment is of a “cutting edge” standard. 

The grant application from the PCI was developed in conjunction with the appointed Sports Manager for each sport earlier this year.  PCI will now work directly and immediately with these sports to purchase the equipment in time for key qualifying events for the Beijing Games taking place in 2007. 

Finally, the PCI on behalf of the athletes would like to express its gratitude to the Minister, the Irish Sports Council and the Irish Institute of Sport for their assistance in securing this added funding to aid the Paralympic team’s preparations for Beijing.