Timothy Morahan is the first Irish athlete to win a gold medal at the 2023 Special Olympics in the 5,000 metres race.
Mr Morahan is the first Irish team member to win a gold medal at the Special Olympics in Berlin this week.
He told Newstalk reporter Henry McKean he was “very happy” to win the gold medal this afternoon.
“It was so close, there were so many countries who bravely attempted,” he said.
"Hopefully we can party as well, but we can’t have any soft drinks because it is still very unhealthy drinks."
Mr Morahan’s family said they are “ecstatic” to see him win the gold medal.
“It's incredible what he achieved, and it sets a nice tone for the day and for the week,” his brother Christopher said.
“I'm just shaken and more than delighted – he's trained so hard, he deserves it,” Mr Morahan’s mother said. “He did all he could to win this race.”
Mr Morahan’s father said the win was “no fluke”.
“He trained very hard. He's very talented, but to do it on this stage you have to be really good.”
“I just won a gold medal 🥇 only.” Meet Ireland’s first medal winner at the #SpecialOlympicsWorldGames Timothy Morahan in the 5,000 metres. @kierancuddihy @NewstalkFM @SpecialOlympics @SOIreland @SOWG_Berlin2023 6pm GMT pic.twitter.com/qTmN3AwQDy
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) June 19, 2023
Assistant Coach Paddy Slattery said the gold medal is “well-deserved”.
“Between myself and the head coach, Ailish Smyth, a lot of work has gone in, but it’s worth it,” he said.
Some 73 athletes are competing on Team Ireland at the Special Olympics in Berlin this week.
Irish team member Eoin O’Connell also won bronze medal for open-water swimming, while Jenny O’Halloran won bronze in rhythmic gymnastics.
We've just WON our first medal at the @SpecialOlympics! Congrats to Timothy Morahan and team @SOIreland 🎉@HenryMcKean will be reporting for us from Berlin all this week. pic.twitter.com/GPZpTKkBi5
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) June 19, 2023
Every two years, the Special Olympics hosts athletes with intellectual disabilities competing across 26 summer sports, including athletics, bowling and table tennis.
Some 7,000 athletes competing from around the world celebrated the opening in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin yesterday.
The Special Olympics was formed in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to support adults and children with intellectual disabilities to compete in sports.
It provides year-round training and activities to 5 million participants and Unified Sports partners in 172 countries.
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