21st Summer Deaflympics - Ireland’s Swimming Team

Irish Deaf swimmers, Eoin Nolan and Vincent McArdle, will represent Ireland at the 21st Summer Deaflympics.

The 2009 Deaflympics, to be held in Taipei, Taiwan from 31st August to 17th September 2009, will have a swimming program which comprises 21 events over six days.

This will be Ireland’s 10th swimming appearance at the Deaflympics. Previous achievements include a medal haul of 16 Gold, 13 Silver & 9 Bronze since the first appearance in the World Games for the Deaf in 1973 (later re-named as the Deaflympics.).

On our website, the team will report back daily and their daily diary will appear here in our News section.

Both swimmers will become the first Irish athletes to participate in two codes at the event – swimming and water polo.

Irish Deaf Sports Association (IDSA) Swimming Director, Donal Desmond said “Ireland aim to maintain their reputation as one of the top nations in the swimming events and has a great chance of gaining the medals to make Ireland proud”.
Both Eoin and Vincent are training at the National Aquatic Centre right up till they depart for Taipei on 31st August.

Left to Right: Donal Desmond (IDSA Swimming Director), Eoin Nolan (Wexford), Vincent McArdle (Dublin 15) & Alan Turner (Swimming Coach)