Competition heightens at the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai as TEAM Ireland competed in soccer, bowling, swimming and gymnastics finals on Monday. As typhoon driven downpours continued in Shanghai throughout the day, athletics and equestrian competitions were cancelled. Ireland’s total haul for today was six individual and four team medals, as well as five ribbons (for 4th to 8th places) and one personal best.
Ireland’s undefeated 11-a-side football team continued their great run of results with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over France. Team Ireland won every game in their pool, beating strong contenders from Austria (12-0) and Australia (6-0) in their group. On the 5-a-side pitch, Ireland’s ladies had a lucky victory over Chile, beating them 1-0, but the men's 5-a-side team were overcome by a better San Marino side, losing 1-7.
In Shanghai's Jiading Stadium, bocce doubles moved indoors, where Ireland competed against USA and Iceland. Carol O’Rourke (Finglas) and Linda Mooney (Swords) took silver, defeating the USA 12-9 in a close match. Iceland proved too tough a challenge for Irish duo Gary Diamond (Kiltimagh, Mayo) and Glen Balance (Belfast), losing 12-4. Diamond was TEAM Ireland’s first gold medal winner in the singles event on Thursday.
Remaining indoors, Shanghai Gaodian Bowling Alley saw plenty of action for the Irish doubles teams who ranked second, fourth and fifth in the finals. Patrick Hickey (Wexford) and Galway woman Síle Nic Niocaill took their place on the podium to collect their silver medals.
Ireland’s swimmers also performed well, winning two medals and achieving a personal best. Meath athlete Nuala Burns (Navan) won her second bronze medal when she came third in the 50m backstroke, following her success in the 50m freestyle earlier in the competition.
To top it off, double medal-winning Burns also achieved a personal best in the 50m backstroke (01:15:38). Next in the pool was Dubliner, Pat Monaghan (Ballyfermot) who secured bronze in the 200m backstroke.
There was also continued success for Ireland’s female gymnasts today, with Margaret Walsh (Middleton, Cork) and Lesley Farmer (Lisburn, Antrim) both scooping medals. The Cork woman took the gold medal in the rhythmic gymnastics, won her second gold in the ball and was placed well in floor, hoop and ribbon competitions. Lesley Farmer ranked a close third to bring home bronze for TEAM Ireland.
Other highlights of the day were in ladies' basketball, where Ireland upped their performance in the qualifiers to win bronze in the final. On Tuesday, the men’s team will face either Russia or Austria in what is tipped to be the match of the tournament after their success against Spain (18-12).
Elsewhere in table tennis, Dublin doubles team Paul Sweeney (Stillorgan) and Anna Fitzsimmons (Booterstown) beat Monaco and went on to be narrowly defeated by the host country, China, in the final. They received bronze at the medal presentation.
