Greta Streimikyte OLY - A Testimonial

To whom it might concern,

I am writing to you in regard to Enda Fitzpatrick’s dismissal as DCU Athletics Academy Director. I have been a member of DCU Athletics Academy for 5 years and if it wasn’t for DCU Athletics & Enda’s guidance and support, I can confirm that my DCU experience will not have been as amazing as it really was. The decision you have made to remove Enda as Director of the Athletics Academy was a huge shock and disappointment as without Enda, not only DCU Athletics Academy but the university as a whole would not be the same!

Enda’s contribution to Dublin City University extends outside the athletics world- he has acted not only as a coach, but a friend, father and mentor. He was and is the person who got me to where I am today and to whom I will always be grateful.

I remember meeting Enda 5 years ago, at my very first training session in DCU and I was so impressed how interested and willing to help he was even though he did not know me that well as a student or as an athlete. Back then, I was only just a beginner in athletics but with the dream to make 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. I remember mentioning that to Enda that evening at training and I could have never imagined that he will be the person who will get me there. He believed in me even when I even did not believe in myself.

Because of Enda, I was surrounded by the most amazing training group who helped me get the best out of myself, both athletically, personally and academically. I can call myself a Paralympian who came 4th in 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. More importantly now I can call myself a European champion and a student successfully completing masters in DCU.

DCU’s core mission is to unlock the talent of all its students- I unlocked my talent thanks to Enda Fitzpatrick, along with many other athletes. If you really believe in your mission and stand by it, you will not remove Enda Fitzpatrick from his post where he has played an exemplary role in achieving the university’s core mission.

If these reasons for you are not enough to extend Enda’s post as Director of Athletics Academy I don’t know what is! Enda has transformed so many lives including mine, he believes in people and wants them to reach their full potential, inside and outside athletics. That is why there is no better person for the job than him.

Regards,

Greta Streimikyte

2016 Paralympian & 2018 European Champion