“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt” Special Olympics Motto
In an age where the result of sporting matters can either bring instant joy or instant depression, with a very thin line between the two, it was nice to be able to read and view the reports about the endeavours of this year’s Special Olympics in Shanghai.
Team Ireland claimed 119 medals and 69 ribbons in 11 sports: aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics and table tennis. It is a fabulous achievement and what is more impressive is seeing the passion, determination and sense of fair play that has always been there for an event as large as this.
The 141 athletes and 55 coaches representing Ireland can be immensely proud of flying the flag in the wake of the “tragedy” that was Ireland’s recent Rugby World Cup campaign and the “disappointment” that has been Ireland’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. It is just pleasing to see that there can still be occasions where sports can be used in the right way, for fun and proper competitiveness.
Perhaps if there weren’t so much money involved in all sports then it would be a more widespread thing, but I think there will always be someone in a competitive field that will always want to gain an, illegal, advantage over their opponents to satisfy a hunger. I’ve mentioned before about some athletes that have chosen to go down the wrong path to keep a “level playing field”.
Maybe the Special Olympics will remind people that athletes can do things in the proper way for the right reasons and I think it has restored my faith in the goals of those who take part in all sporting events.
Congratulations to all who that have ever taken part or given their time to the Special Olympics, you deserve all the plaudits that come your way.
Saturday, October 13th, 2007 and is filed under Thoughts & Questions, Views on News.
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Ann Says:
Couldn’t agree with you more, Mike, on this one. Well said.
October 13th, 2007 at 4:53 pm