This month, seven athletes from Co. Down, including Ballygowan swimmer Emma Carlisle, will travel to Abu Dhabi to compete in the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Part of a 91-strong Team Ireland squad, these athletes will represent Ireland at highest level of sporting competition for Special Olympics athletes.

The road to Abu Dhabi started four years ago; the final preparations began in earnest for the local Special Olympics athletes, with the official launch of Team Ireland for the 2019 World Games.

Taking place between 14-21 March 2019, Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the largest sporting and humanitarian event in the world this year. Supported by a volunteer management team of 39, Team Ireland will join 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 countries at the Games. 

The Co. Down athletes will represent Team Ireland in four sports: swimming, kayaking, equestrian and basketball.

Newry is well represented with four local athletes heading to Abu Dhabi to represent Team Ireland;

Equestrian athlete, Megan McElherron (18); Kayaking athlete, Fergal Gregory (19); and swimmers Connor McClorey (22) and Peadar Connolly (32).

Swimmer Emma Carlisle (23) from Ballygowan will also represent Team Ireland in the pool, whilst Amy Watters (26) and Gemma O'Keefe (45), both from Bangor will compete as part of the Team Ireland ladies basketball team.

The Co. Down athletes will be joined by fellow Team Ireland athletes from right across the island of Ireland, who will compete in a total of 12 sports: athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, kayaking, swimming and table tennis.

Supporters and sponsors caught up with the athletes for the official launch of the squad recently in Dublin, ahead of their last residential Team Ireland training session. The 91 athletes travelled to Dublin to train together and ensure that they are ready to take on their biggest sporting challenge yet. 

For further information about Team Ireland and the Support an Athlete programme, visit www.specialolympics.ie

To keep up to date with Team Ireland’s preparations for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, follow Special Olympics Ireland and Special Olympics Ulster on Twitter, @SOIreland and @SO_Ulster and Facebook, facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIreland and Facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsUlster and follow the hashtags, #TeamIreland and #PlayYourPart.