Young athletes’ Children’s Games dreams crushed

THE dreams of 18 young Kerry athletes have been crushed following news that this year’s International Children’s Games in Hungary have been cancelled.

The games – a mini Olympics for teenage athletes – are the latest international sporting event to fall victim to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tralee has been sending teams to the games since 2005, and since 2009 they have been the only Irish representatives among the 107 teams that take part.

This year an 18-strong Tralee team had been assembled – which includes several athletes from across the county – and the side were busy preparing to travel to Kecskemet in Hungary this June to represent Kerry and Ireland in athletics, judo and swimming.

Sadly that dream came to an end last Wednesday when the Mayor of Kecskemet contacted all teams to announce the games had been called off due to the Hungarian Government’s decision to cancel all festivals, gatherings and sporting events.

The Mayor said it was hoped that the games could be rescheduled but, at present, authorities in the Hungarian city cannot predict what will happen in the coming weeks and months. Tralee ICG Chairman Mike Culloty said everyone involved with the Tralee team was extremely disappointed but understood the decision.

“To begin, it must be said that the decision is the correct one given the present circumstances around the Coronavirus Pandemic,” said Mr Culloty.

“However, there is a great sadness and disappointment for these young athletes who have been selected only about six weeks ago, and for whom the opportunity to represent Kerry and Ireland at the International Children’s Games is now over,” he said.

Mr Culloty added that he and all at the Tralee ICG sent their sympathies to the people of Kecskemet and those involved in organising the games.

“Likewise one cannot but be sorry for Kecskemet and its organising committee, who have spent the last two or three years preparing for July 2020, and who have been so busy since January in putting all logistical matters in place,” he said.

Mr Culloty expressed his and the team’s thanks to all those who have been supportive of them, and wished everyone safety and good health in the months ahead.

“We live in a different place right now, and our vulnerability as human beings has never been more apparent. We must do everything we can to ensure the best conditions for the general good health of all. The Games will come again” he said.

Unfortunately this isn’t the only time the Tralee team has been forced to cancel its plans due to an international crisis.

In 2018 the team decided to pull out of that year’s games in Jerusalem due to instability in the region following Donal Trump’s decision to move the US embassy to the holy city.

Photo by Joe Hanley Members of the Tralee International Children’s games team from across the county who were due to represent Kerry and Ireland at the Games in Hungary this June.