Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland Host Joint Press Conference Ahead of 2024 Paralympic Games
Excitement is building ahead of the start of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, which will begin with the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, August 28th.
Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland hosted a joint press conference ahead of the Games at the Sport Ireland Institute today, Tuesday 20th of August.
Minister of State for Gaeltacht, Physical Education and Sport, Thomas Byrne TD, spoke about the importance of the team behind the team and the tremendous effort that it takes to get athletes to the Games. He outlined the record level of Government funding going into sport and the success that has already come from the High Performance Strategy.
Minister Byrne noted the success in the reduction of the gender gap and said the focus now turns to reducing the disability gap in sport.
CEO of Sport Ireland, Dr Una May, wished the athletes travelling to Paris every success. Dr May drew attention to the range of sports that Team Ireland athletes will be competing in at the Paralympic Games and the importance of showcasing all sports.
She also highlighted the collaborative relationship between Sport Ireland, Paralympics Ireland and the National Federations involved, without this relationship and ongoing commitment such sporting success would not be possible.
Eimear Breathnach, President of Paralympics Ireland, also touched on the collaborative relationships needed, noting and thanking the Olympic Federation of Ireland for their assistance in preparing for the Paralympic Games.
The 2024 Paralympics will see RTÉ provide the largest broadcast of disability sport in Ireland, something Breathnach noted as a significant milestone. She added that the Games will provide a window for paralympic sport and the disability community.
The morning concluded with a Q&A session with Eimear Breathnach, President of Paralympics Ireland, Niamh O’Sullivan Head of High Performance with Sport Ireland, Stephen McNamara CEO of Paralympics Ireland and Minister of State for Gaeltacht, Physical Education and Sport Thomas Byrne TD.
Click here for the Para cycling team that will represent Team Ireland at the Paralympics.