LAKERS DID US PROUD!
ATHLETES from Lakers went off to the Special Olympics National Games in Dublin last week.
They returned with a grand total of 44 medals – 13 gold, 15 silver, and 16 bronze.
Some of those will be selected for the World Games in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The selection process is expected to occur in August or September.
Parents and friends, as well as passers-by, stopped to applaud the athletes as they got off their coach outside the Esplanade on Sunday evening.
‘We are so proud of each and every one of our amazing athletes,’ said a spokesperson.
Forty athletes and 11 coaches went to the games and stayed in student accommodation in UCD.
The sports they played were bowling, badminton, aquatics, athletics, golf, bocce and football, and they achieved medals in all of them.
Qualification from these games means heading to Abu Dhabi for World Games in 2019.
The athletes enjoyed a celebration at the Esplanade Hotel upon their return on Sunday.
There was a huge display of medals on show and many exhausted people. ‘Huge thanks to our group of dedicated hard working volunteers who all gave up their time not just this weekend but throughout the year training and preparing everyone to do their best,’ said a spokesperson. ‘ Thanks also to the management and staff of the Esplanade for the lovely food and drink.’
The exhausted athletes then made their way home for a wellearned rest.