A celebratory welcome home for the athletes who competed for Team Ireland in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games is taking place today.
At the Paris Games, Team Ireland consisted of 35 athletes who were selected to compete in 9 different sports. The team in Paris was larger than the one which competed at the last Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 and finished the games with 6 medals.
Over 40% of Team Ireland athletes became first-time Paralympians in Paris, which bodes well for future Paralympic Games in LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
As well as the 6 medals won in Paris, including one gold, three silver, and two bronze, Team Ireland also had over 20 top 8 performances.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin and the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne welcomed the Paralympic athletes home today.
Minister Martin said, “I want to congratulate everyone who has been involved with Team Ireland, from the athletes to the coaches, the sporting bodies, Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland. And of course the families, friends and supporters of the athletes who make such a vital and telling contribution.”
“The Paralympic Games are the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. These athletes have inspired the next generation of Paralympians and they are a credit to their families, coaches and communities.”
“The Government is investing heavily in sport. It is helping to ensure that our athletes can prepare for these prestigious international sporting competitions in the best possible way.”
“We will continue to do so in the coming years, not just in the high performance system but also at grassroots community level.”
Minister Byrne added, “I had the privilege of being in Paris during the last week to see at first hand our incredible athletes in action. It was fantastic to see the hugely vocal support they received in their competitions and everybody is enormously proud of our 35-strong team.”
“They have all represented their country with distinction and have created some truly historic moments this past fortnight that will be remembered for a very long time.”
“The Government, for its part, is proud to have supported Team Ireland with record funding to support high performance sport.”
