Four athletes from Co Tyrone are inspiring others in the area as they prepare to head to the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin later this year.
Eamon Quinn and Sammy Jo Sweeney from Cookstown, Raymond Singleton from Aughnacloy and Ellie Armstrong from Omagh are all members of local clubs who will travel to the global event in Germany in June.
Eamon and Raymond will compete for Ireland in football, Ellie in the swimming events and Sammy Jo is a veteran Bocce player, a version of bowls.
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The quartet are representing local clubs Eagles in Coalisland, Starbreakers in Carrickmore and Omagh Spires.
Paul Sweeney from the Eagles club says it is a great achievement for so many local talents to be recognised at the event.
“Eagles are based in Coalisland but our span takes in the wider Mid Ulster area,” Paul said.
“Last year we had our 10 year anniversary, we started out with six athletes and now we have 50 so it’s been a pretty successful 10 years.
“As a club it’s a great achievement to have one athlete selected and we’ve just been very fortunate that we have four from this area this time around.
“They are all really looking forward to walking out and representing their country at the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium.
“The games are taking place from June 17 to 25 June in Berlin and the athletes are all going out a week beforehand with Team Ireland.”
The occasion will be doubly sweet for Paul, whose daughter Sammy Jo travels to Berlin having first represented Ireland back in 2003 when the event was held in Dublin, the first time outside the United States.
“Sammy Jo went to the World Games in 2003 and here she is now going back again 20 years later,” Paul added.
“To be back after competing for the last 20 years is some achievement. She’s still chomping at the bit and we’re very proud.
“It’s a great inspiration to all of our members here that they too can go on to the big stage.”
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