Meath duo for Beijing

EVEN those with just a fleeting interest in sport will have found it difficult not to be fascinated, amazed and at times bemused by events unfolding in the Beijing Olympics. Whether it"s the phenomenal achievements of swimmer Michael Phelps, the power and technique of diminutive Chinese women weightlifters or the fascination of watching human beings push themselves to the limits in highly pressurised situations, the Olympics has got something for everybody. Certainly Lisa Callaghan and Sean Heary have had more reason than most to watch how events are unfolding in the Chinese capital. In a few weeks time they will be right there in the midst of it all, performing on the same stage. Just a short while after the 10,500 athletes from over 200 countries who have taken part in the 29th Olympiad have packed up and gone home those seeking glory in the Paralympics (the names derives the fact that the Games are staged parallel to the Olympics) will flood into Beijing. The 2008 Paralympics get underway on Saturday, 6th September with an opening ceremony in the famous 'Birds Nest" stadium and the Meath pair of Callaghan and Heary will be among the 45-strong Irish team that will be travelling. This is the largest number of athletes that have represented Ireland at these games. Heary, who is from Beauparc, will be going for gold in archery while Duleek girl Callaghan will be participating in the javelin. A member of Cushinstown AC Callaghan is ranked fifth in the world and regularly trains at the Boyne Valley Country Club, Drogheda. When it comes to age and experience of the Paralympics, both competitions are at the opposite end of the scale. Callaghan, in her mid-20s, is preparing for her third Paralympics while Heary, who is in his 50s, will be appearing in his first. The Olympics is peppered with stories of heroism and how athletes overcame difficulties to beat the rest. Those stories fade into insignificance when it comes to the Paralympics. Since his youth, Heary has battled with Scoliosis, a condition of the spine that left him paralysed for a time. He underwent a series of operations, was forced to give up his job as an upholsterer and now gets around with the help of a stick or, more usually the wheelchair. He is not sure yet if he will be using a wheelchair or 'an ordinary chair' during competition in Beijing. While this will be his first Paralympics, Heary has plenty of experience on the international front having represented Ireland in both able-bodied and disabled archery competitions. Callaghan has made light of a mild form of Cerebral Palsy that has restricted the use of her left arm and leg to live the kind of full, hectic life many people would find daunting. Fifth in the javelin in Athens four years ago, the Duleek girl was a silver medallist in the World Championships in 2006. Heary and Callaghan have both displayed the kind of steely resolve and indomitable spirit that is the stuff of heroism. They have had to work extremely hard to get to this level in their sporting careers. They also insist that those in the Paralympics make just as many sacrifices as those who appear in the Olympics. They have spent countless hours training, willingly giving up huge chunks of time that might well be spent more profitably in a financial sense. They have done it all to push themselves in a pressurised situations on the biggest stage possible. Heary trains up to five hours a day while Callaghan has devoted herself full-time to athletics for a few years and is now funded by the Irish Sports Council. After the Paralympics she intends to embark on a business studies course. For others it can be even more challenging. 'A lot of those going to the Paralympics would hold a full-time jobs. They would still get up a six in the morning, go to work, come back that evening and try and get a few more hours training in. It"s very tough, there"s very little family time and it"s almost full-time, it"s training, training, training,' said Heary. The pressure of competing on the international stage says Heary is always there although he adds that according to the word on the street the Olympics and Paralympics present a different and unique set of challenges. Callaghan has mixed memories from her two Paralympics. 'I carried the Irish flag at the Sydney Olympics as the youngest member of the team. Athens had mixed emotions for me. I broke the world record without getting a medal, but one Paralympics is just as good as another,' she explained. The drug-testing regime is every bit as rigours as pertains in the Olympics. Heary, Callaghan and the rest of the Irish athletes will be tested before they head for Beijing. As part of the preparations the Irish athletes work with sports psychologists. Every sport presents a different set of challenges, but the power of positive thinking prevails over all. Heary is sharply aware he is representing himself, his country and his parish in Beijing. Unknown to him a local committee was formed in the Kentstown, Beauparc area to organise a function that was held last Friday night at Walterstown to give him a good send off. He was touched by the gesture. He greatly appreciates the support of his community, and feels it inspires him. The music was provided on the night by the manager of Seneschalstown football team Damien Sheridan who knows a thing or two of what is needed to succeed on the sporting front. Heery is under no illusions about the task facing him if he is to bring home a medal. He must fire an arrow almost the length of a soccer pitch and hit a '10-ring," the bullseye target that is smaller than a saucer. To have any chance of a medal he must hit the target at least six times out of 12 attempts. Heary will be coached at the Paralympics by Meath resident Jim Conroy who will be attending the games for the first time in this capacity. The Irish team coach Hans Blum will also provide some encouragement and advice. Callaghan goes to Beijing in buoyant mood having recently attained a personal best throw yet she too knows how difficult it is to win a medal on the big stage. With the help of good coaching and back-up she says she ready for Beijing. Her coach will be Donegal man Eamonn Harvey who has attended the last three games in Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004).