*Ø* Blogmanac | Special Olympics kick off
Dublin - The 2003 Special Olympics kicked off in the Irish capital Dublin on Saturday with a big party and a parade of athletes from 160 countries who were to compete in nine days of events. A crowd of over 85,000 watched the opening ceremony of the world's biggest sporting occasion this year in the city's Croke Park stadium.
South African former president Nelson Mandela and boxing legend Muhammad Ali were among VIPs launching the games.
Mandela called the athletes "ambassadors of the greatest of humankind". He added: "You inspire us to know that all obstacles to human achievement and progress are surmountable. Your achievements remind us of the potential to greatness that resides in every one of us. May the world learn from your example."
It was the first time the Special Olympics for people with learning difficulties have been held outside the United States.
Teams from as far apart as Albania and Zimbabwe entered the stadium, accompanied by special guests. Muhammad Ali led out the US team, and former Irish soccer team captain Roy Keane led out China. There were loud cheers when teams from Sars-affected countries entered the stadium. They had almost missed the games as a result of travel restrictions. There was also loud applause for a small Iraqi team attending the games for the first time.
Among those entertaining the crowd were Irish pop bands U2 and the Corrs, along with solo artists Ronan Keating and Samantha Mumba, and the event featured the biggest ever performance of the international hit show "Riverdance".
Story
Dublin - The 2003 Special Olympics kicked off in the Irish capital Dublin on Saturday with a big party and a parade of athletes from 160 countries who were to compete in nine days of events. A crowd of over 85,000 watched the opening ceremony of the world's biggest sporting occasion this year in the city's Croke Park stadium.
South African former president Nelson Mandela and boxing legend Muhammad Ali were among VIPs launching the games.
Mandela called the athletes "ambassadors of the greatest of humankind". He added: "You inspire us to know that all obstacles to human achievement and progress are surmountable. Your achievements remind us of the potential to greatness that resides in every one of us. May the world learn from your example."
It was the first time the Special Olympics for people with learning difficulties have been held outside the United States.
Teams from as far apart as Albania and Zimbabwe entered the stadium, accompanied by special guests. Muhammad Ali led out the US team, and former Irish soccer team captain Roy Keane led out China. There were loud cheers when teams from Sars-affected countries entered the stadium. They had almost missed the games as a result of travel restrictions. There was also loud applause for a small Iraqi team attending the games for the first time.
Among those entertaining the crowd were Irish pop bands U2 and the Corrs, along with solo artists Ronan Keating and Samantha Mumba, and the event featured the biggest ever performance of the international hit show "Riverdance".
Story
dancer posted item above at 1:17 AM | Permalink
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home