2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games officially Over

2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games drew to a highly emotional and spectacular conclusion last night, June 29, in Dublin's Croke Park stadium. The packed stadium was filled with thousands of volunteers, athletes, delegation members and guests, all present to celebrate the wildly successful hosting of the Games, and look forward to the legacy of these Games in the island of Ireland and on the global stage.

Bono of U2 performs at  the opening of the Games

From mid-afternoon onwards, crowds had thronged to Croke Park, filling the stadium and the surrounding areas with a sea of colour and a multitude of languages, all talking about the innumerable highpoints seen at Games competition venues and public spaces across Dublin and Belfast, as athletes and delegations from all over the world showcased the abillities of people with a learning disability.

Celebrities at The Special Olympics >

The lengthy Closing Ceremony was a triumphant celebration of the achievements of Special Olympics athletes, focusing on the abilties and prowess of the athletes during the Games, and looking forward to future Games to be hosted by Japan and China.

Throughout the Ceremony, the crowds were entertained by a wide variety of Irish and international music acts, with the likes of Blue, Liberty X, and Westlife, amongst others, treating Croke Park to a celebratory party in honour of both the athletes and the volunteers who had given so much of themselves for the Games. Video clips and interviews reinforced the successes of the athletes over the preceeding week, showcasing the skills and courage of athletes.

Mary Davis, CEO 2003 World Games, summed up the Games' Organising Committee's thanks for the volunteers. "On behalf of the GOC, to all the volunteers in Dublin, Belfast and in Host Towns around the island of Ireland, we thank you. These Games would not have been possible without your tireless support and enthusiasm, as you gave Special Olympics athletes a magnificent Irish welcome, and provided boundless encouragement to everyone participating in and visiting the Games." She added: "You have made these Games an even greater success than we could have hoped for, and made the Games such a fantastic experience for the athletes."

American athlete at  the opening of the Games

With the majority of delegations due to depart from Dublin Airport today, in addition to their memories of the Games and their welcomes at Host Towns all across the island of Ireland, they will also take with them the words of Rita Lawlor, former Special Olympics athlete and 2003 World Games Board Member. "People should focus on our abilities and not our disabilities."

These words, which were taken to heart by volunteers, media and the public at sporting and public venues and in Host Towns around the island of Ireland, will help to create the legacy of 2003 World Games as they are spread across the world to fulfill the Games' motto and 'Share the Feeling'.

The Ireland Funds helped sponsor the games
with a donation of $1.3 million.

How we helped...>

Texan Olypians >

Celebrities at The Special Olympics >

2003 Special Olympics website >

(440k -3 mins. at 33k)