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RTÉ HAS DEFENDED its decision to not show live coverage of the Special Olympics National Games due to take place this weekend.
Ryle Nugent, Group Head of Sport at RTÉ, said that the state broadcaster recognised the “importance of the games” but has never broadcast them live.
“While RTÉ covered the World Games Opening Ceremony live, we have never covered the national games live. Live broadcasting is an extremely expensive business and RTÉ does not have the resources to do so on this occasion.”
He noted that the broadcaster was set to show a preview package of the games on today’s Six-One News and would cover the opening ceremony on Thursday. Reports on the games will also feature on Morning Edition and Nationwide, and a number of RTÉ radio shows including Saturday Sport and Drivetime.
Nugent made the comments after meeting with Senator Mary Moran today. The Seanad spokesperson on disability and equality presented him with a petition calling on the national broadcaster to televise the opening ceremony of the games and part of the finals.
Moran, whose son will be competing in the event, said that she was delighted that the petition “raised awareness of the games across the country and the lack of coverage afforded to these very dedicated athletes”.
More than 1,000 signatures have been collected to date – both online and offline.
Moran described RTÉ’s coverage of the 2003 Special Olympics World Games, when they were held in Ireland, as “excellent”.
“To this day, many people still look back on that opening ceremony with joy and emotion. It is a fond memory for many people and we have an opportunity for a whole new generation of people to have a similar experience.”
RTÉ are missing an important opportunity in not providing live television coverage of these games. The national games and the Special Olympics organisation as a whole are uplifting, exciting and most importantly deserving of live broadcast coverage. The national games will showcase what is best about our country and unfortunately, people at home will only have limited access.
This year’s national games are set to take place in venues across Limerick, Clare and Tipperary from 12 – 15 June.
Fiona Hynes, the Communications & Marketing Manager for Special Olympics Ireland, said that she understood Moran’s concerns as “everyone just wants the athletes to get recognition for four years of work”.
However, she said that the group was “delighted” with all the coverage they were going to receive.
“Obviously, the more coverage the better, that’s not just limited to RTÉ, but all broadcasters.”
We believe in the power of the Special Olympics and of our athletes … One of biggest obstacles is to get visibility and recognition for the achievements of our athletes. TV, print, radio and online are all great ways to do that.
Hynes added that while it would be “amazing” to have live television coverage of the games she knew this was not possible for “various reasons”.
Moran said she would continue to pursue the subject in the future.
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“More than 650 signatures have been collected to date.”
now we are into TV3 viewing numbers.
Exactly this is ridiculous.At the end of the day RTE has to prioritise which international sporting events it shows,and the simple truth is, there is little or no market for the Special Olympics.It’s the same thing as not showing events like the Womens football world cup or women’s rugby.Some people look for any excuse to get ‘outraged’.
So basically what they are saying is that it’s not important enough to cover it.
No one is outraged at all. It was just a question. Honestly it would be nice to see it televised. I understand it would probably be niche viewing but at least it would show Ireland is truly moving towards an inclusive society. Our disabled get hammered in spending cuts and generally often do not get the respect and equality due to them. I am sure GAA is niche viewing in the UK but it’s popularity will spread with media exposure. It’s probable the same will happen with Special Olympics and it will showcase the training talent and commitment of all the athletes involved. Just like what happened to Paralympics .
Brendan that comment us really patronising. Some of those athletes are incredibly talented and they put in huge a huge amount of training. My son was the only one of my kids to have inherited his fathers skill in soccer. He has pretty amazing ball skills. I hope he will have a proper competitive outlet for his talent and training one day when his health is better. The athletes are very competitive the train really hard and they want to win. It’s not at all like you say. Honestly.
There’s lots of events that RTE don’t cover. Let’s be honest here, apart from the families (many of whom will be there) and friends of the competitors and a few others, how many would actually watch it?
Do people really think that the National Special Olympics would get more viewers than a World Cup match or a gaa championship match?
I have a family member who will be there. If I worked at RTE, I would be the one saying no way to showing this. The cost of this in comparison to the money pulled in through advertisements during it would be ridiculous.
The country is already in a bad enough state, there’s no reason to put is further into debt!
For the people looking for a reason to give out, this isn’t RTE saying that the accomplishments are less important, its simply them saying that the interest in watching it is significantly lower than that of other events!
The numbers speak for themselves, 650 signatures in 2 days! In a country of a couple of million people, 650 signatures!
I have a sister who has Down Syndrome and competed in the World Special Olympic Games in Ireland in 2003. She did us proud picking up 3 gold and a bronze in Gymnastics. I also teach a number of young people who will be competing in these games.
Do I think RTE should show it? No, why should they? If it would cost them money it would be an unwise decision. The demand to watch such an event on national television simply isn’t there. With the internet in modern times it should be no problem to broadcast the event for those who wish to watch it. I personally have an interest in the games and would watch it but that doesn’t mean everybody else has to.
When RTE don’t show someone of the calibre of Katie Taylor fighting, they’re not going to show something as niche as the Special Olympics.
It would be more beneficial if the complainants went to the actual events to watch, than expect to sit on their ar$es at home in front of the telly.
Not everyone has that luxury as most of us have to work so some people can be on the journal moaning all day, everyday.
Then have somebody record it with their phone for you … RTE shouldn’t have to lose money because you’re too busy working to attend … Could you be more arrogant and self involved.
I barely watch the Olympics … I certainly would have no interest in the Special Olympics (no offence intended). Right call by RTE.
If there was an audience SKY would show it ! That your answer.
Ridiculous. It’s as of they are saying their acomplisments aren’t as important. What do we pay the stupid tv license for.
Were you just as outraged last time?
Its storm in a tea-cup stuff.
There are plenty of other events that also don’t get coverage.
I’m sure ‘Nationwide’ will have a report on it.
No they’re saying not enough people would watch it to justify the cost.
No, to be honest I didn’t keep up with any events or news before, so I wouldn’t have taken any heed. I believe national athletics in general should be broadcast. But especially the national special olympics. It’s hard for any athlete to do the training required etc but I’d believe it would be a bit harder for those with special needs. Why would people not watch it? Fair enough, it wouldn’t get as many views as the world cup or whatever, but do you not think it should be broadcast even as an acknowledgement of their achievement?
Olga, why should RTE pay to do that? Lets be fair, thats not their job!
If you feel that strongly about it, I’m assuming you were part of the volunteers that helped out at the Special Olympics 10 years ago? Or that you’re part of the hundreds of volunteers going to the game this year?
I would love to see what YOU have done to acknowledge their efforts, before you go giving out over others not doing it!
No, I was just a young teenager 10 years ago, so I didn’t. I’m not going this year, this is one of the first times I’ve heard about it. And why is there a tv license if RTE pay for everything? It doesn’t matter what you say, I saw something I disagreed with and I voiced my opinion, I can’t understand why more people wouldn’t want to watch the special olympics? I’m genuinely curious
Olga,
will you bother going to the games yourself?
No, read above comment. I would have if I had known more about it and could get time of work though. Will you go to every sports game you watch? Would it be annoying if RTE didn’t broadcast any of them? So you couldn’t voice your opinion of being annoyed that they aren’t going to broadcast it because you won’t be attending?
Next you will want them to televise the U14 Leinster Ladies Football…
Olga is outraged that the games are not being televised yet only now found out they are even on. Do you always jump on a bandwagon?
What’s with this obsession with ‘outraged’. I didn’t say I was outraged so f#$k off, jumping on what bandwagon exactly?? I hardly said it because I care if people agree with me or not, loads here don’t, but I’m not changing my opinion because of that. Perhaps you commenting hours after everyone else, and repeating what you’ve already read is the one jumping on the bandwagon.
Olga, take some deep breaths. You seem to be getting awfully worked up. Fact is you are in a minority on this issue. Swearing is not going to change anyone’s opinion.
I’m not trying to change anyone’s opinion, everyone is entitled to their own. The thing is you don’t seem to understand that I don’t care if I’m in the minority, I stand by my opinion that I think it should be shown on RTE. Whether I just found out about it yesterday, last week, or last year, what does that matter? I’m entitled to be annoyed once I do find out, it’s no bandwagon I’m jumping on
The amount of Digital Radio & Television Stations our National Broadcaster has that, while serving a purpose regarding being a vehicle for non mainstream DJs, bands etc. could be better used to broadcast the National Special Olympic Games surely?
Rte News Now would be the perfect vehicle for it given all that has is rolling news anyway.
Think outside the box please RTE.
“Rte News Now would be the perfect vehicle”
Eh, that’s not the issue though. They could just as easily broadcast it on any of their channels. The problem is the cost of the logistics of doing so. Equipment, transport, wages for cameramen, technicians, commentators etc. That stuff doesn’t be long adding up. It would make no sense to invest so heavily with such little return on that investment.
I’m no fan of how RTE is run, but c’mon like.
I am amazed at the amount of people in favour of not showing Special olympics on RTE. Public service broadcasting is called so for a reason.
And the public won’t watch.
This corrupt state-run media organisation should be dis-banded.
No fan of RTE but no commerical station would show it either.
Why do i pay a tv licence fee if RTE acts solely as a commercial enterprise and is in general of no benifit to any community scheme?
I would tune in- I think a lot of people would. Great opportunity to support our athletes who invest so much in this event. Opening ceremony and the finals are hardly too much to ask? RTE should be representative of all of society, regardless of ability.
Shame on you RTE !
Plenty of money to send TV crews to arse hole of the country for Junior GAA games by way of tg4.
Thats pretty much just 2 guys with a camera and a mic. Not a large multi camera multi event full scale OB.
And I’m not looking for a reason to give out. It annoys me, so I said so. Do all the rest of ye not do something similar when ye come on here? If something bothers me, I say so, if it was something I liked, I’d say so also. Get over yerselves
*You
*You
*Yourselves
When I see people like you doing that, I actually feel sorry for ye. (Yes, I said YE) I gave you a green thumb, it seems as if you need it
Ignore these idiots Olga, if he was so smart why is he on here at 4:30 on Tuesday evening? Oh i bet he works night-shift or so he’ll tell us.
And you are on here at the same time … Did you even think before you (not ye) wrote that.
But im not on here correcting peoples grammar ,,, read before you comment!!!
It’s Tuesday afternoon.
Does that make you more employed.
I wrote that from my comfortable office chair, Jim! Have a nice day spending my taxes!
Sure you did, and how do i spend “your” taxes? Sure this is the internet, i could be Batman just as much as you’re sitting in an office chair, What job do you have that enables you to spend most of the day on here (as ive seen some other replies from you dated early this morning) correcting grammar ?
We pay for this tv station now we can let them know this is wrong we need to write to rte and complain who do they think they are public tv I think not
It’s simple really – it’s outside the Pale!
How many news reports does RTE make in their own car park and environs. The solution is to hold the games in the car park or the fair city set.
Personally I’m outraged that RTE didn’t televise Katie Taylor’s fight which gave her a 6th european title. They offered an online link instead. If the above events were taking place in my county I would go out there and support them but in fairness this is a national qualifying event which doesn’t deserve anymore than a bit of coverage each evening in the news and daily in the print media, I’d like to see a bit of extra coverage on the RTE junior news. I’d probably tune in if RTE broadcast some of the Special Olympics world games. Good luck to all hoping to win a spot on team Ireland. I hope the weather remains good.
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