Video celebrates Cork’s golfing twins’ Special Olympics journey 

Cork’s golfing twins Sarah and Trudy Hyland have marked the first anniversary of their participation in the Special Olympics World Games 2023.

The twins are featured in a new collection of videos capturing the transformative impact of the competition, alongside their coach, Nuala Lydon, and Special Olympics Ireland Munster regional director, Eoin O’Beara.

One year ago, more than 6,500 athletes gathered in Berlin to celebrate together. The fireworks of the spectacular closing ceremony have long since faded but the games remain a powerful driving force for the athletes who competed.

“We don’t like to lose,” they said. “We do want to beat each other, but you don’t win it all the time.”

Competitive

Naturally competitive, Sarah and Trudy openly admit that the experience taught them that a win isn’t everything, and that enjoying their time doing something they love is what’s valuable.

On their return to Ireland, they were greeted as celebrities with hundreds of people lining the streets to welcome them back.

“We couldn’t go to the airport without journalists catching us. Everywhere we looked, they were taking photographs of us,” said Sarah.

Mr O’Beara said: “This experience of community-wide homecomings for athletes is echoed in towns and villages across Ireland.

“This creates a sense of equality.”

Pride

Speaking on the palpable pride felt by those from Cobh, where the Hyland twins hail, Ms Lydon said: “There was a real buzz, it was fantastic.

“They were so proud, and we were so proud of them.”

The twins closed out with a positive message: “Anyone can do anything they put their mind to.”

The series can be viewed on YouTube by searching: ‘Berlin 2023 Legacy Series Episode 4 — Sarah & Trudy Hyland — Special Olympics Ireland.’