THE IRISH PARALYMPIC team have been set a target of eight medals ahead of this summer’s Games.
Ireland will be represented by 44 athletes across nine different sports in Rio after the team was officially announced at Dublin City Hall this morning.
There are three reigning world champions and two defending Paralympic champions included in the party.
Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop will both be aiming to defending their respective titles in September after taking home gold four years ago in London.
While 44 athletes have been confirmed to fly the flag for Ireland at the Games, there is the possibility of two further additions to the team in triathlon and swimming.
Performance Director Dave Malone says a medal haul of eight is a ‘challenging but realistic’ target for a group of athletes which includes representatives in athletics, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, football, sailing, shooting, swimming and table tennis.
Advertisement
Minister of State, Mr. O'Donovan addresses this mornings audience at the Paralympics Ireland Team Announcement pic.twitter.com/NnyKoB2p1D
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) July 5, 2016
“Irish athletes will go to Rio this September and compete for glory against approximately 4,350 athletes from all parts of the world over the course of 11 days,” Malone said this morning.
“The team is ready to achieve great personal and collective success at the Games, and their performances throughout the qualification process for Rio indicates that a medal target of eight for the team is achievable.
“We also anticipate a large number of finals from the team, and we are seeking career best performances from as many of the team as possible on the biggest stage of all.
“We have ring fenced all available supports around the athletes in order to ensure that they can produce their optimum performance on the international stage.”
The team will leave Dublin for a training camp in Uberlandia – a city 900km north of Rio – on 23 and 25 August before the Games begin on 7 September.
Ireland Paralympic Team 2016
Athletics
Orla Barry (F57 discus)
Orla Comerford (T13 100m)
Paul Keoghan (T37 400m)
Noelle Lenihan (F38 discus)
Niamh McCarthy (F41 discus)
Michael McKillop (T37 1500m)
Patrick Monahan (T53 800m and Marathon)
Deirdre Mongan (F53 shot put)
Jason Smyth (T13 100m)
Greta Streimikyte (T13 1500m)
Cycling
Eoghan Clifford
Katie-George Dunleavy
Colin Lynch
Ciara Staunton
Declan Slevin
Damien Vereker
Jason Smyth will be hoping to defend his 100m title in Rio. Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE
Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
Equestrian
Helen Kearney
Football
Luke Evans
Tomiwa Badun
Cormac Bitt
Joseph Markey
Brian McGillivary
Carl McKee
Gary Messett
Ryan Nolan
Eric O’Flaherty
Dillon Sheridan
Aaron Tier
Conor Tuite
Jordan Walker
Ryan Walker
Sailing
John Twomey
Austin O’Carroll
Ian Costelloe
Shooting
Sean Baldwin
Phillip Eaglesham
Swimming
Ellen Keane
Ailbhe Kelly
James Scully
Nicole Turner
Table tennis
Rena McCarron Rooney
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Three world champions and two Paralympic champions included in Ireland team for Rio
THE IRISH PARALYMPIC team have been set a target of eight medals ahead of this summer’s Games.
Ireland will be represented by 44 athletes across nine different sports in Rio after the team was officially announced at Dublin City Hall this morning.
There are three reigning world champions and two defending Paralympic champions included in the party.
Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop will both be aiming to defending their respective titles in September after taking home gold four years ago in London.
While 44 athletes have been confirmed to fly the flag for Ireland at the Games, there is the possibility of two further additions to the team in triathlon and swimming.
Performance Director Dave Malone says a medal haul of eight is a ‘challenging but realistic’ target for a group of athletes which includes representatives in athletics, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, football, sailing, shooting, swimming and table tennis.
“Irish athletes will go to Rio this September and compete for glory against approximately 4,350 athletes from all parts of the world over the course of 11 days,” Malone said this morning.
“The team is ready to achieve great personal and collective success at the Games, and their performances throughout the qualification process for Rio indicates that a medal target of eight for the team is achievable.
“We have ring fenced all available supports around the athletes in order to ensure that they can produce their optimum performance on the international stage.”
The team will leave Dublin for a training camp in Uberlandia – a city 900km north of Rio – on 23 and 25 August before the Games begin on 7 September.
Ireland Paralympic Team 2016
Athletics
Cycling
Equestrian
Football
Sailing
Shooting
Swimming
Table tennis
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Ex-IBO champ accuses McGregor of editing sparring footage to make himself look good
OKC look to build around Westbrook, but can’t rule out trade after Durant exit
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
2016 paralympic games more than sport Paralympics Ireland Rio 2016