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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Members of Team Ireland arriving at the stadium for the Opening Ceremony (Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile)
Fourteen exceptional athletes are flying the flag for Ireland at this year's Special Olympics World Winter Games as the competition got underway on Saturday in Turin, Italy.
The week-long contest will see 102 countries and over 1,500 athletes take part and attract over 100,000 spectators. Eight of Ireland's athletic stars will compete in floorball which is a fast-paced team sport, while six athletes will compete in alpine skiing.
On Team Ireland's floorball squad is James Hunter, Jack Buckley, Joseph Sheehan and Gavin Bourke all from Cork. Then Waterford men Niall Corcoran, James Upton and Damien Kirwan will also be part of the team as well as Tipperary man Frank O'Dwyer.
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Peter Merrins is the team's Head Coach and Dorothy Kavanagh and George Fitzgerald are the Assistant Coaches.
A mixture of counties will be represented on the Alpine Skiing team with Lorraine Whelan from Wicklow, Donal Brennan from Dublin, Maire Connolly from Galway, Lucy Best from Belfast, Caolan McConville from Antrim and Clive Healy from Waterford.
The team's Head Coach is Jill Sloan while Glyn Williamson and Jane McDowell are the Assistant Coaches.
The Opening Ceremony commenced on Saturday at the iconic Inalpi Stadium in Turin. Team Ireland proudly marched into the arena in their vibrant green jackets to a wave of clapping from the crowd. The phenomenal show set an exciting tone for the week ahead.
In his opening speech, 2025 Special Olympics World Games President Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo said: "I know that each one of you has carried a spark of the flame inside you, preparing and training, day after day. The ‘Flame of Hope’ is the hope in little things: a smile, a snowfall, a happy day. It is also the hope in bigger things: a welcoming community, an equitable society, a world at peace. You are the ‘Flame of Hope.’ Carry it forward. We will be with you."
Good luck Team Ireland!
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