THE Paralympics came to an emotional end at the Atlanta Olympic stadium yesterday as over 3,500 competitors "from 120 countries joined together for the closing ceremony.
These games have seen an unprecedented worldwide amalgamation of peoples who have been bonded by a super human ability to overcome tragedy, to rise above disabilities and to seek triumph in the soaring possibilities of the human spirit.
Ireland's 64 strong contingent competed to the best of its ability and came away with 10 medals - one gold, three silver and six bronze.
Assistant Chef De Mission Anne Ebbs was certainly proud of the squad. I think we surpassed our expectations. It's certainly a big improvement from Barcelona and the whole team was a credit to Ireland."
Bridie Lynch (31), from Lifford, Co Donegal, captured gold and bronze in what must have been a very special personal achievement. Gold came in the discus for the visually impaired.
Her fifth round throw of 37.14 metres proved decisive. She then bounced back into the medals in the shot putt with a mark of 10.72 metres. In front of her, Tamara Sivokova, from Belarus, broke the world record at 12.51 metres and Marla Runyan's 11.05 metres earned the American silver.
Ireland's silver trio are David Malone, Mairead Berry and Tom Leahy. Malone swam to his medal in the 100 metre back stroke for amputees, while Berry also reached the podium from the pool in the 50 metre backstroke for cerebral palsy.
Tom Leahy made it to the Boccia individual final before succumbing to a Japanese lady in a mixed sexes tournament.
Sisters Mary and Sharon Rice both captured bronze in a real family celebration. Mary battled home to 39.96 seconds in the 200 metres for cerebral palsy. In this race, the winner, Linda Mastandrea (USA), beat the world record in 25.30 seconds.
Sharon Rice found glory in the shot putt for cerebral palsy.
Joan Salmon displayed an elegance and poise to finish third in the kur. This is a freestyle dressage competition, set to musical passages, with an independent observer delivering instructions from outside the arena.
Sean O'Grady's strength and technique guaranteed him a well deserved bronze in the discus for wheelchairs. Grainne Barrett Condron won a bronze at the shot putt in the lesautres (combination of disabilities) category.
While Ireland's success is bound to be judged by the 10 medal haul, those involved in the Irish Paralympic squad are well aware that being at the games is the dream of most competitors, with winning a medal a bonus.
The team returns to Dublin Airport at 8.15 a.m. tomorrow, where the President, Mrs Robinson, is expected to welcome them.
