Minister Patrick O’Donovan to present awards for outstanding performances at the Games
Athletes, coaches, sponsors and supporters of the 2016 Irish Paralympic Team gather in the Ballsbridge Hotel this evening for the 2016 OCS Irish Paralympic Awards Ceremony. The black tie event, proudly sponsored by OCS Ireland will duly recognise the achievements of the 2016 Irish Paralympic Team which won 11 medals at the Rio Paralympic Games, finishing 28th on the Official Medals Table. A number of media awards will also be presented to recognise the huge coverage of the Paralympic Games in Ireland across TV, Radio, Print and Online.
Minister of State for Sport & Tourism, Patrick O’Donovan T.D. whom attended the Games in Rio will be on hand to present a number of the awards. Speaking in advance of tonight’s ceremony he said: “The Irish success in Rio was astounding and I was privileged to be able to attend a number of events during the Paralympic Games. Paralympics Ireland deserves great recognition for the work put in to the preparation of the team and we can all look forward with anticipation to Tokyo 2020.”
The awards, which only take place once every four years recognise the achievements of Irish Paralympic athletes and staff in a number of categories including Outstanding Male and Female Performances, Outstanding Games Debut Performance, Young Paralympian of the Games, and Outstanding Member of the Irish Paralympic Team.
The awards also recognise achievements in other areas including Media Awards for Best TV, Radio, and online coverage. A shortlist of Games Images were alsoput to a public vote to choose the Image of the Games.
Additionally, this evening awards for exemplary service to Irish Paralympic Sport will be given out to include the Irish Paralympic Hall of Fame Award, Irish Paralympic Order and the President’s Award.
Cecil Ryan of OCS stated: “OCS are privileged to have shared the journey to Rio 2016 with Paralympics Ireland and are delighted to celebrate the stunning success of the team at the OCS Irish Paralympic Awards. On behalf of the team at OCS we’d like to congratulate all members of the 2016 Irish Paralympic Team on their amazing success and for providing a big lift and inspiring the whole nation for 11 wonderful days in September.”
President of Paralympics Ireland, Jimmy Gradwell, looking forward to the event said: “The end of the four year Games cycle gives us a chance to reflect on the amazing achievements of the team, which we are so proud of. The athletes and support staff have excelled once again at a Paralympic Games and we look forward to celebrating their stunning and richly deserved success at our Gala event tonight, supported by our great sponsors – OCS Ireland.”
