1 week Ago
Ireland's Katie-George Dunlevy and pilot Linda Kelly (left) in action at the Paralympic Games in Paris. Photo: PA As a summer of sporting success drew to a close over the weekend, we were treated to one last blast of sunshine, and much-needed hope, by our Paralympians. Team Ireland will arrive back into Dublin Airport today with six medals, all won by women with visual impairments.
Their achievements cannot be defined just on a medal table, though, because as we got to know the stories of many of our athletes over the past fortnight, we learned that victory has many meanings. Life presents us all with challenges at times. And the greater the obstacle, the more triumph there is in overcoming it.
Take Katie-George Dunlevy, who had to be lifted off her bike, along with pilot Linda Kelly, after winning the first of two medals last week. Their bodies were limp, but their hearts were clearly bursting with joy that we could all share. They went into the Women’s B individual time trial as reigning world champions, but their preparations for Paris were anything but ideal.
They both contracted Covid, Dunlevy had pins placed in her collarbone and Kelly suffered a concussion in May. And yet they got across the line. Dunlevy noted afterwards that the haul of medals by visually impaired women was remarkable.
“For any young children at home with vision impairment, if they’ve seen any of our races, hopefully we can inspire them to believe in themselves and to dream big. Hopefully we’re inspiring the next generation in whatever they do, sport or anything else.” There’s no doubt but that their story is inspiring.
In the swimming pool we had Róisín Ní Ríain come so close to winning three individual medals. The Limerick teenager couldn’t hide her disappointment after finishing fourth in her final event of the Games, the SB13 100m breaststroke. But with a silver and bronze already in bag, she too set an example for younger athletes by realising there is more to taking part than winning.
“I’m disappointed with that swim, it’s not what I wanted. But it’s all part of it, I can only learn from it,” said Ní Ríain. Our bronze medallist on the track, Orla Comerford, also expressed some initial disappointment on an emotionally charged night for her.
Four years ago she didn’t get out of her heat, having struggled with injuries. This time around she ran in front of her family and friends, but was missing her beloved late coach Brian Corcoran. And she wore blue ribbons in her hair to honour her friend Elaine Moran, who died when they were teenagers.
“We were 16,” said Comerford. “She was a big Dubs fan so she wore blue ribbons – at her funeral we all wore blue ribbons in our hair.” Each of these women, along with their counterparts, represent the best of us as they carried the weight of their personal challenges and overcame adversity to give hope and joy.
As they take a well-earned break, we celebrate their achievements and thank them for letting us bask in their glory. Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
