PARALYMPICS Three Paralympic Medallists Lead Irish Team at European Athletics Championships

The Irish Team for the IPC Open European Athletics Championships departed for Espoo, Finland, today.

The team comprises of 19 athletes (5 women, 14 men) from three disability groups. The team is a blend of experience and youth with three former Paralympic medal winners (Derek Malone, John McCarthy, Catherine Walsh), a world record holder (Lisa Callaghan) and eight first time "major" participants. Other well-known Paralympians in the team include Gareth Culliton from Laois and Patrice Dockery.

supported by a select group of coaches including Mairead Farquharson and Eamonn Harvey and a medical team of Fintan O'Donnell (Chartered Physiotherapist) and Fionnuala Kirby (Sports Massage Therapist).

The combined Paralympic European Athletics Championships is a relatively new development, with the first event held in 2003.  At those Games in Essen in 2003, Ireland won three gold medals.

The new Athletics Coordination Group, with representatives from all relevant governing bodies, nominated the team to the Paralympic Council of Ireland. The three governing bodies (Irish Wheelchair Association-Sport, Irish Blindsports, and Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland) established the new coordination group to support athletes competing for Ireland at major international events.

The competition begins on Sunday, August 21st until Saturday, August 27th. The team will return on August 28th.

ENDS

Issued by the Irish Sports Council on behalf of the Paralympic Council of Ireland

John can be contacted on any Paralympic at 087-2709182 or johnfulham@ireland.com.

Alternatively Michael O’Keeffe/Julianne McKiegue, OHC, 01-6602744

*Results and updates on the progress of the team will be provided to the media throughout the Games.