No Russians, no funding, no problem.
The Paralympics got underway on Wednesday night with a spectacular opening ceremony in the Maracana, but the real action starts in earnest today as the competition begins.
Ireland have brought a 48-strong team to Brazil, hoping to better their phenomenal performance in London four years ago, when they finished 19th in the medal table with eight gold, three silver and five bronze medals.
One of our best medal hopes, sprinter Jason Smyth, is in action later in the 100-metre T13 heats, but there are high expectations for some of the others in action on Thursday.
Ailbhe Kelly – Swimming (S8 400 metres freestyle, heats 2.09pm. Final 21.59pm)
The Castleknock teenager is ranked 17th in the world and making the finals in the first of her three events would be a tremendous achievement.
James Scully – Swimming (S5/SB4/SM5 200m freestyle heats, 3.31pm, Final 23.59)
Should make the finals of this, his strongest event. Ranked seventh in the World, the two-time European bronze medallist came fifth in this event four years ago with a personal best of 2:53:03.
Damien Vereker/Sean Hahessy – Cycling (Individual Tandem 4-kilometre Pursuit, heats 3.45pm. Final 21.38pm)
Tipperary and Kilkenny were at each other’s throats in the hurling at the weekend but the two counties combine in Rio in search of a cycling medal. Vereker and Hahessy are competing together at an Paralympics for the first time but believe they have a live hope of a medal.
Sean Baldwin – Shooting (10m Air Rifle, SH1, qualifying 4.0pm, Final 18.30pm)
It’s 13 years since the Kildare native lost a leg in a car accident while serving with the defence forces in Liberia. He is expected to make the final and has the potential to medal at his second Paralympics.
Men’s 7-a-side football (18.00)
Tough draw for a side that features several players from the Leinster Senior League. Will be hard pressed to escape from a group containing today’s opponents Ukraine, hosts Brazil and an improving Great Britain team.
Jason Smyth – Athletics (100-metres, T 13 Heats, 23.19)
Hoping to emulate Olympian Usain Bolt and win gold in the 100m for a third straight games. Would also be chasing a triple in the 200m except the event has been removed from Paralympics. Odds on to reach Friday’s final, where something close to his season’s best 10.39 should see him make history.
The GAA Hour Hurling Show relives Tipperary’s sensational All-Ireland victory with Paidí Maher. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
