Special Oylmpics is the worldwide sports movement for people with a learning disability. The Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver over 30 years ago and is now active in over 160 countries in the world. The Special Olympics World Games are the flagship events of the Special Olympics movement. World Summer and Winter games are held every four years. The Special Olympics World Summer Games 2003 are being held in Ireland. The theme chosen for the 2003 World Games is Share the Feeling Key Dates 16th - 20th June 2003 - Host Town Programme 20th - 29th June 2003 - World Games The Games and Competition will be centered around the greater Dublin area. However, the entire island of Ireland will play an integral part in the event through the Host Town programme. The Host Town Programme will see the athletes and coaches spend the four days prior to the competition in an irish Host Town. Over 170 communities will come together to welcome delegations from across the world and give them an opportunity to train, acclimatise and enjoy the Irish culture prior to competition. Some Statistics from World Summer Games 2003 7,000 Athletes 3,000 Coaches and Official Delegates 28,000 Families and Friends 166 International Delegations To mark the Special Olympics 2003 Summer Games and the European Year of People with Disabilities The Irish Bishops' Conference has issued a Pastoral Letter 'LIFE IN ALL ITS FULLNESS'. Over 200,000 copies of the Pastoral Letter will be made available in parishes throughout the country on the weekend of 14th/15th June 2003. (Click here for Pastoral Letter) At the request of the Four Church Leaders, a PRAYER FOR THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS is also being distributed to parishes for use this weekend. (Click here for PRAYER) On 5 June 2003 the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy and the Irish Commission for Liturgy sent a Letter to Host Parishes for the Special Olympics in which they said: 'In this the European Year of People with Disabilities, Ireland has been afforded the wonderful privilege of hosting the Special Olympics World Summer Games. This happy coincidence has brought awareness of the presence of people with disabilities in our society to the forefront. Through our experience of this year it is hoped that all of us will be prompted to carry this awareness with us into the future. The issues of inclusion, access and participation should become standard considerations for local communities and for society as a whole.' (Click here for full text of Letter. ) |