A team of Irish dwarf athletes will compete at the World Dwarf Games after securing government funding just days before the tournament.
The event, which takes place in Ontario, Canada, from Saturday, August 5 to August 12, will welcome nine Irish athletes after they received €9,000 to cover the cost of travel and expenses. Ireland brought home 46 medals, including 17 gold, at the last games in Michigan in 2013. More than 400 athletes from 17 nations compete at the event, which is held every four years. Athletes will take part in track and field, swimming, badminton, powerlifting, soccer, and basketball events.
Mary Butler, the Fianna Fáil TD for Waterford, whose niece is a member of the team, helped to facilitate a meeting between Dwarf Sports Association Ireland and members of the government last month. She said that she was delighted by the decision.
“All athletes representing their country, irrespective of their disability, need to be treated with respect and dignity, and today’s funding announcement will, I believe, be a turning point in how we support athletes from minority sports in this country,” she said.