Irish kayakers will make their debut at the Special Olympics World Games in Athens this summer.

They will be part of a 126-strong team representing Ireland at the games, which was celebrated by new Minister for Sport Leo Varadkar at the Convention Centre in Dublin this week.

Kayaker Shaun Bradley from Letterkenny, when asked if his was a dangerous sport, told The Irish Times: “Not really if you’re good at swimming.”

Minister Varadkar said everyone could benefit from the event. The Government has allocated €250,000 for the Special Olympics World Games and €1.5 million in 2011 for Special Olympics Ireland.

More than 7,500 athletes will compete across 12 sports, supported by 2,500 coaches and thousands of volunteers from 185 countries, at the games in Athens from 25 June to 4 July.