An Irish athlete has broken the world record for the 800m sprint at the Down Syndrome World Championships.

His impressive feat comes ahead of his next race at Special Olympic Ireland’s summer games this weekend. 

Kicking off in Sofia, Bulgaria, earlier this week, the BAUHAUS Down Syndrome World Championships saw athletes from across the world compete in a range of athletic events. 

Storming to victory, Liam Foley from Trim AC pulled in gold medals in both the 15000m and 800m sprints, defending his title and becoming a back-to-back world champion. 

Beyond netting himself two gold medals, Liam also broke a world record in the 800m sprint with an impressive time of 2:42:00. 

Congratulating their member, Trim AC said: ‘Liam Foley DOUBLE CHAMPION. Well done to Liam Foley, who this afternoon added the 1500m title at the World Games to his 800m gold. He ran a super time of 5:59.’ 

‘Another great run, less than 24 hours after a great 800m victory. Congrats, Liam, you are the news BIG TIME,’ the club continued. 

The impressive feat comes as 1,277 athletes descended on Dublin to mark the start of the Special Olympics Summer Games. The national competition kicked off last night with an opening ceremony in Tallaght Stadium. 

The games were opened by President Catherine Connolly, alongside a flag-bearing ceremony that saw Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster, and a separate Eastern grouping represented. 

Athletes will now compete in 12 sports across ten different venues until the games close in a ceremony on Sunday evening. 

Speaking on the games, rhythmic gymnastics coach Patricia Creaven told RTE: ‘It’s atmospheric, it’s euphoric, it’s amazing to see the love and the support for all the athletes from their coaches and parents and families.’ 

One such athlete is Brid Smith from Mayo, who will be competing in kayaking.  ‘It feels like a dream come true and means a lot to me,’ she said ahead of the games.

Meanwhile, Ciaran said it was ‘brilliant news’ when he was selected to represent Connacht in basketball. ‘I love basketball and playing with my friends,’ he continued.