Special Olympics CEO Matt English emphasized the vital role of inclusion and community for athletes during a ceremony honoring Team Ireland's achievements at the Turin Games. The athletes won 11 medals, showcasing their talents in events like floorball and alpine skiing. English expressed pride in the team’s performance and highlighted the unique opportunities the Games provide for athletes, many of whom may only compete at such a level once. He also recognized the dedication of volunteers, whose long-term involvement significantly enriches the experience for athletes across Ireland.
I was really excited to see the whole team again this evening. While it was great to see the team perform so well, it's nice a month later to reflect on what they achieved.
For our athletes, unlike professional athletes that may have a 10- or 15-year career where there is a limelight on an ongoing basis, for some of these athletes this might be the only time they will compete on a world stage.
It's really inspirational. I have met so many volunteers over the years, I have heard consistently that they would have said they would try volunteering for three months and then many are still involved 20 or 30 years later.
They experience inclusion and a feeling of community when they join. We now offer 15 different sports, meaning we have athletes of different abilities and interests.
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