Paralympics Ireland, in partnership with Mondelez International today announced that they will host the Irish Paralympic Sport Expo on Saturday January 14th 2017 at the new National Indoor Arena on the National Sports Campus.
This free of charge day-long event will showcase a wide range of Paralympic sports in a bid to attract new people and potential talent into the sports, with the vast majority of Ireland’s 2016 Paralympic team set to be in attendance also.
2016 Paralympians cyclist Peter Ryan, and discus thrower Niamh McCarthy who won silver in Rio, were on hand at the National Indoor Arena today to mark the announcement. Both athletes attended a similar event held by Paralympics Ireland post London 2012 and essentially their careers in their respective Para sports began from there.
Speaking at the announcement McCarthy said; “I came to the event four years ago and after some initial testing by the athletics team on the day & further follow ups I was selected for the Fast Track talent programme in place at the time. Ultimately after a lot of support, guidance and incredible amount of hard work over the intervening four years I found myself on the podium in Rio. That is obviously the dream scenario for anyone planning to attend this event in January but nonetheless I’d urge people to come along, meet the team, and try out some Para sports; it’s set to be a great day.”
Also speaking about the event Paralympics Ireland Chief Executive Liam Harbison said; “This event presents a great opportunity for all Para-sports in Ireland to capitalise on the massive interest generated by the performances of the Irish team at the Rio 2016 Games. It’s set to give young people with disabilities a chance to meet with the Irish team and try out sports most suited to their functional profile, hopefully leading to a longer term involvement.”
Those interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register by completing this form and doors will open at 10.30am with the event running until 4.30pm. Participants will be screened on arrival and directed to try out the sports most suited to them. The sports exhibition will run for the day with demonstrations of wheelchair tennis, basketball and rugby for example ongoing, as well as athlete question and answer sessions.
Speaking about their sponsorship of the event Eoin Kellett, Managing Director of Mondelez International said; “The search for potential athletes for future Paralympic Games is crucial to the continued development of the Paralympic movement in Ireland. Mondelēz International is proud to sponsor this event. It offers the opportunity for those attending to experience different Paralympic sports, and meet with Irish medal winning Paralympians.”