President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina kindly hosted a reception at Áras an Uachtárain today for the team and all the support staff to celebrate their achievements at the Games. It was the first time the vast majority of the team got together since their return from Rio and no better occasion for such a reunion.
After an individually meeting and greeting each member of the team and staff the President addressed the assembled audience, which included Ministers Shane Ross T.D. and Patrick O’Donovan T.D. alongside Chief Executive of Sport Ireland John Treacy.
“On behalf of everyone who loves sport, everyone who followed with great pride and interest your sporting endeavours in Rio, I am delighted to welcome you to Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon, to this celebration of your efforts and achievements at the second-largest sporting event in the world, the Paralympic Games.
All of you athletes in this room know more than anyone else that in sport there is never certainty about the outcome, there are no certain winners, but there are always courageous and committed athletes.
“We in Ireland are proud of you and are very grateful to you for going the distance of your training and participation, making so many sacrifices, to be the very best, and to be Ireland’s best.”
