A 10-year-old Irish fan of Greek striker Georgios Samaras was in Athens this week at the invitation of the Greek Sports Journalists’ Association, which honoured outstanding achievements in sports in a gala in Athens.
Jay Beatty, who has Down Syndrome, became a fan of the West Bromwich Albion winger when he was playing for Celtic – Jay’s favourite team – and gained international fame after Samaras picked him up from the crowd when the Glasgow team lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy in May.
He also became a internet and social media sensation after a campaign was launched to raise money to get him to Brazil to see Samaras play for Greece at the World Cup. While the money was raised and an invitation extended by the Greek Soccer Federation, the dates clashed with a planned family holiday.
Jay’s father, however, posted a video showing the young boy in a Greece jersey and celebrating the team’s victory over Ivory Coast which went viral.
At the award night, Jay said he loved Samaras because “he has long hair and a long beard”.
Samaras, who is mourning the loss of his grandfather said he wanted to come to the awards night because of the strength he finds in Jay.
“Jay is the reason I came here tonight, because recently in my life things are not going well, but at least I see the smile of that child and I find the strength and the power to go on,” he said.
Samaras was awarded for his “contribution to sports and his ethos” by the Greek Sports Journalists’ Association at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Athens’s southern coast for the bond he has formed with Jay.
In its invitation, the union said the award is for “the message of humanity and sensitivity which they sent worldwide.”
Before the trip to Greece, Jay’s father Maritn voice the family’s surprise at being invited, saying “It’s hard to believe that a wee 10-year-old boy with Down Syndrome will be flying to Athens to receive this.”
Jay celebrates his 11th birthday on December 23.