3rd - 10th September 2006

National 50m Swimming Pool

University Arena, Limerick Ireland

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Click here to order your DVD of the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships - Ireland 2006 This one hour DVD features interviews with athletes, coaches and volunteers, highlights of the week long social events and the four days of swimming competition which took place in Limerick from 3rd to 10th September 2006.

The World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships
Limerick Sept 2006

What a week! 400 visitors including 150 swimmers arrived in Limerick from 16 countries including Venezuela, Turkmenistan, Mexico, Taiwan, South Africa and Australia and turned Kilmurray Village UL into a mini Olympic village for this world event. Balloons and flags festooned the house fronts. The atmosphere was electric. This was what all the training and hard work was about. The stage was set for a week of serious competition and of course some fun.

After two days of classification and a wonderful day in Bunratty, the championships started and continued for three days.

The bar had risen again! It was wonderful to see such a high standard of swimming, close to mainstream in many cases.

Thirteen world records were broken! The South African, Australian and Mexican teams took most of the world records although Tahnee from Tonga stole the show with her sparkling personality and outstanding swimming.

The Irish team did us proud yet again, winning five golds, seven silver and seven bronze between them. Many improved their personal bests. This was an excellent result when faced with such strong competition.

In one week these young people did more to educate people about the abilities of people with Down Syndrome than any course or talk could do. They also demonstrated to their peers and families, what is possible, given the opportunity. They challenged all the myths and misconceptions. It was fitting, being that it was in a University setting, that they were educators. And then, it was all over and following the gala dinner, they danced the night away celebrating their wonderful achievements.

This magical week would not have happened without the support of the swim officials and volunteers who gave so generously of their time. A big thank you to all of you, it was really appreciated.

Margaret Carroll
Swimming Director
World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships

Dear Editor,

Last week we experienced some fantastic moments at the poolside in University of Limerick during the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, hosted by Down Syndrome Ireland. It was astonishing to witness the level of professionalism and committment that many of the swimmers from the Irish and international teams demonstrated in their bid to bring home international medals.

Equally as astonishing was the heartfelt welcome that the people of Limerick offerd to the delegations. While the event was firstly and foremostly about the swimming, so many people and organisations in Limerick and its environs went out of their way to make sure that those who went home without a medal were so much richer for the experience.

On behalf of Down Syndrome Ireland, I would like to exend out thanks and appreciation to the people of Limerick for the fabulous welcome and hospitality which was shown to all who attended the Championships during the past week.

Yours sincerely,

Michael McCormick,
Chief Executive
Down Syndrome Ireland.