On Saturday, 2nd August I, along with other members of the Irish team, anxiously yet eagerly departed from Dublin airport and headed towards London Heathrow to compete in the 10th IWAS (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport) World Junior Games, which were being held in the Guttmann Centre, Stoke Mandeville, birthplace of the Paralympic Games.
There were 27 members on team Ireland, not including support staff and coaches. Members of the team were competing across various sporting disciplines such as table tennis, field and track athletics and swimming. As there was such a large gang of us from across different parts of the country we decided to travel in separate groups, some choosing the ferry, others, the plane. I decided to opt for the plane, as did several more of my teammates. The pre-plane banter was mighty, we were all pumped up and ready to give the Games everything we’ve got. The flight over was a bit hairy; turbulence was pretty heavy so we had to circle to sky above Heathrow for thirty minutes before we were able to land. We arrived into terminal 2 at around 5pm and picked ourselves up a few snacks in the WHS there. We then boarded the mini bus, which brought us on our hour-long journey to the hotel. At the hotel, which was in Aylesbury, we were the first members of the team to arrive and check in. However, it wasn’t long until the rest of the gang arrived and we all sat down, greeted each other and had dinner together. Once dinner was over we all headed straight to our rooms to catch some sleep as we had to be up bright and early the following morning for classification.
In Paralympic sport, in order to ensure as level as possible a playing field, athletes receive a classification. Classification is based upon individuals’ ability, strength, power and fitness. I, for example am an F57. The prefix F stands for field events and the 57 part of it means that I have limb absences/amputations. So, on the Sunday morning I was classified into this category, as were numerous other athletes on my team categorized into their respective classes. Following the early morning classification, which was a rather lengthy process, we had lunch. (My second favourite part of the day, breakfast coming straight in at number one!) After lunch was the opening ceremony and that was a really enjoyable affair. 31 countries were there from across the world and each team walked in to music playing in the background while being led by a flag bearer. The ceremony was comprised of presentations and a short yet very moving film about the Paralympic flame.
Monday marked day one of the competition. For me, first up was shot put. There were eight girls in my event and the competition was pretty fierce. Having said that, while they may have been fierce ladies, no doubt about that, they were equally just as fantastic and friendly! I was and still am delighted that I got the chance to meet them and share this marvellous experience together. I knew with the distances that I was throwing that I wouldn’t achieve a podium finish, which I didn’t. I did, however, manage to achieve a personal best by 3cm, something that I’m very happy with. At the end of the day the only person I’m going out to be better than is myself, when I see improvements I’m satisfied. No matter how small those improvements are.
I had the following day, Tuesday off, so I spent it recuperating from Mondays endeavors, watching the field and track events and cheering on my team mates as the raked in the medals! The athletics team as a whole did so so well, achieving 31 personal bests, 5 seasons bests, 5 Irish records, 3 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals. There were multiple successes and medal ceremonies. I honestly don’t know if I have ever cheered so loud or so often in my entire life! I came home from the stadium more than once with a hoarse voice. On the bright side, I perfected my hollering in the process and can proudly announce that I am now officially the loudest member on the team!
Wednesday arrived and I had two competitions, discus and javelin. Temperatures were hitting 23°C and there was little or no shade. I’m not a sun worshipper so I found that day tough going as I was out in the heat for hours on end. My scalp got the mightiest of scaldings that day! It’s still flaking almost two weeks on, some dose. In my discus and javelin events my competitors were more or less the exact same girls I competed against two days previously, which I was delighted with! We were reunited once again and I wasn’t complaining! Just like in the shot put, I knew I stood no chance in getting a medal but yet again I remained hopeful that I would throw a personal best and just like in the shot put again, I did. Beating my main competitor- myself.
My time competing came to a close after that on Wednesday and the Games themselves were officially over on Thursday. The time spent in England truly flew by. I guess the age-old cliché ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ would fit in here nicely. To add to the fun there was a closing ceremony on Thursday evening to mark the end of this years’ competition. It included a sit down meal of traditional English fish and chips followed by a disco! P-A-R-T-Y O-N! As the last song played a sadness set upon me as I realised that the trip was coming to an end and we were ready to leave the stadium for the final time on this occasion. I hopped on the bus back to the hotel with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. I was so proud of myself and my teammates and all of our achievements. I was equally as grateful for the incredible opportunity to compete for my country – to go out there and make my parents, my friends, my team and myself proud. To get the to chance to travel to another country with a spectacular, encouraging and inspiring group of people. To make new friends from different corners of the world and to create memories that I will treasure throughout my lifetime. It was most certainly a trip to be remembered and for all the right reasons.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my family, friends, teammates, coaches and support staff for all of their encouragement and kind words over the last few weeks. Their backing has being humbling and much appreciated.
