The Colleges and University Sports Association of Ireland (CUSAI) have announced the 26 athletes who will be competing at the World University Games in Shenzhen , China , August 12th to the 23rd.
Chinese Ambassador Liu Biwei and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring TD were in attendance to meet the athletes as well as give encouragement in their medal quests.
Ambassador Biwei opened the ceremony by welcoming the athletes and expressed his delight at the opportunities that the Games bring to Ireland .
“With over 180 countries attending the games in Shenzhen, this is a chance for the athletes to be ambassadors for Ireland in China ,” said Ambassador Biwei.
“Shenzhen will be a place that they can win together, learn about each other and to understand others better as well as experience Chinese culture.”
Minister of State Michael Ring echoed the Chinese Ambassador as he expressed the honour of representing your country abroad.
“Not only is it a great honour to represent Ireland but it is an even bigger honour to represent your country abroad.”
“We want to wish these 26 athletes the very best of luck and hope they will be returning with medals in hand,” said Minister Ring.
CUSAI Chairman, Kieran Dowd closed the ceremony by giving a special thanks to all those involved as the Irish Delegation and competitors are set to depart for Shenzhen beginning August 8th.
This event will mark the 26th International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer Universiade and 26 Irish athletes will be competing in six different sports including Archery, Athletics, Golf, Swimming, Taekwondo and Weightlifting.
Ireland begins its medal quest on the 13th of August with weightlifter Kevin D’Arcy competing in the 85kg class in the Snatch, Clean and Jerk event.
The following day will open the Archery and Swimming events with nine Irish athletes taking part.
The official opening ceremony of the World University Games takes place on Friday, August 12th.
Press releases and results will be sent out daily by PRO Jolie Niland (jolie.niland@yahoo.com) and photographs will be available from Inpho Photography (www.inpho.ie).
Further event information can be found at www.cusai.ie or http://www.sz2011.org/Universiade/. Full schedules are now available and a complete listing of athletes and competitions are below.
Archery
John Smith, Co Meath
Athletics
Amy Foster, Co Down
Brendan Boyce, Co Donegal
Darren McBrearty, Co Donegal
Jessie Barr, Co Limerick
Justine Kenny, England
Kourosh Foroughi, Co Meath
Laura Reynolds, Co Leitrim
Micheál Doyle, Co Dublin
Golf
Emma O’Driscoll, Co Cork
Louise Mernagh, Co Wicklow
Lucy Simpson, Co Antrim
Barry Anderson, Co Sligo
John Greene, Co Dublin
Kelan McDonagh, Co Roscommon
Stephen Walsh, Co Dublin
Swimming
Aisling Cooney, Co Dublin
Bethany Carson, Co Antrim
Fiona Doyle, Calgary , Canada
Karl Burdis, Co Dublin
Lorna Cummins, Co Cork
Ryan Harrison, Co Derry
Niamh O’Sullivan, Co Cork
Niall Wynn, Co Dublin
Taekwondo
Niamh Buffini, Co Dublin
Weightlifting
Kevin D’Arcy, Co Galway
