WIT Press Release
Title: WIT supports Ireland at Paralympic Games in Beijing
Release date: Tue, Jul 01, 2008
WIT has joined six commercial organisations as an official supporter of the Irish team who will participate in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing from September 6-17.
The Paralympics are elite sport events for athletes from six different physical and sensory disability groups. The number of athletes participating in Summer Paralympic Games has increased from 400 athletes from 23 countries in Rome in 1960 to 3,806 athletes from 136 countries in Athens in 2004.
The Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Studies at Waterford Institute of Technology has joined Kelloggs, An Post, G&T Crampton Ltd, Powerade, Speedo Ireland and Argos in demonstrating their support for the Irish team at the 2008 Paralympic Games through a package of measures.
Announcing the support, Prof Kieran R Byrne, Director, WIT said one of the most appealing aspects of the Paralympic Games was how they emphasise the participants' athletic achievements rather than their disability.
"It's estimated that 4,000 Paralympians will participate in the Beijing games in September and we’re delighted to come on board as official supporters of the Irish team travelling to China. Indeed, the spirit underpinning these games which have grown dramatically since 1960 is one that we can all learn from. These athletes remind us that disability is a characteristic or a situation of life but does not define or indeed replace life itself. Life very often proves to be stronger than any kind of disability.
"In their preparations for the Paralympic Games, the athletes from Ireland and around the world breathe life in to the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) vision to enable Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world. They also bring the 'Spirit in Motion' motto to life."
Speaking about the official supporters, Paralympic Council of Ireland President Tony Guest said "We are delighted to have such a great group of supporters behind our team as we near ever closer to this summer's Games. We very much value their support and backing, and look forward to enjoying a continuing relationship with these supporters for the benefit of Paralympic sport in Ireland."
Founded in 1987 to prepare Irish teams for the Paralympic Games and to develop Paralympic sport in Ireland, the Paralympic Council of Ireland also enjoys the support of a number of official partners to the Irish Paralympic team; state organisations with a pivotal role in the development of the athletes and Paralympic sport in general.
The Irish Sports Council is the leading financier of the Irish Paralympic team providing over €1.2million in support to the organisation and the athletes this year. Official partners include the Irish Institute of Sport; the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick; Sport Northern Ireland and Sports Institute Northern Ireland. O'Neills provides significant in-kind support to the Irish team as the official kit supplier to the Irish team for Beijing, and also for London 2012.
Meanwhile, a Waterford Institute of Technology staff member, Bruce Wardrop from Tramore, Co Waterford, is playing an important role in preparing Paralympic athletes to face the specific challenges of competing at Beijing, some of which include jetlag, heat, humidity and pollution.
Research conducted by Bruce has allowed individualised preparation plans to be drawn up for each member of the Irish Paralympics team.
