Share the feeling
Ireland stunned the world with a spectacular opening ceremony at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. From Dublin Inas Mazhar reports on one fantastic fiesta
For the first time in the 35-year history of the Special Olympics -- a movement founded in 1968 to promote physical fitness and social opportunities for the world's mentally disabled -- the championship was held outside the United States. And there were no regrets.
More than 70,000 spectators filled Ireland's largest stadium to cheer mentally disabled athletes participating in the Summer World Games.
Addressing the high spectator turnout in Dublin's Croke Park, Irish President Mary McAleese said she had never seen anything like it. "That spectacular opening ceremony was held to herald the beginning of the largest sporting event in the world this year, celebrating the abilities of people with a learning disability worldwide."
The organising committee staged what will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most spectacular events ever held on the island of Ireland. For almost two years Irish producers worked to create an opening ceremony that would be a fitting tribute to the abilities of the athletes who will compete in 18 events and three demonstrative events. Drawing on the talent of many of Ireland's leading musicians, performers, directors, designers, choreographers and composers Tyrone Productions successfully put together an unforgettable three-hour show which was not only seen by the 75,000 in attendance but was also shown live on TV in more than a dozen countries as far away as Georgia and Venezuela.
Guests of honour at the opening included Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and former South African President Nelson Mandela. McAleese formally welcomed the athletes and joined with Mandela to officially declare open the 11th Special Olympics World Games. "The Special Olympics gives telling testimony to the indestructibility of the human spirit and of our capacity to overcome obstacles. You athletes are ambassadors for the greatness of humankind," said Mandela.
Many teams arrived wearing elaborate traditional costumes and accompanied by sports stars and celebrities. A host of celebrities from the world of international sport and showbiz took part in the celebrations, including boxing legend Mohamed Ali who led the US team while seated in a car. Other celebrities included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pierce Brosnan, Bono, U2, The Corrs, Samantha Mumba, Roonan Tynan, Colin Farrell, rock and film star John Bon Jovi, actresses Ashley Judd, Heather Locklear, Irish Formula One star Eddie Irvine, Namibia's king of sprint Frankie Fredricks and Manchester United captain Roy Keane.
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Clockwise from top: Abdel-Hamid and Egypt's first gold medal; the Flame of Hope; Mohamed Ali greets a contestant; the opening ceremony
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"This is the most extraordinary thing I've ever seen. To see so many people come out to support people with disability is truly God's work," said Judd, who accompanied the Hong Kong team, the last to arrive in Ireland because of a precautionary quarantine against the SARS virus.
An energetic and fast moving dance routine, A Dash of Colour, performed by 350 representatives from the host towns throughout the country, provided a spectacular opening to the show and formed the Guard of Honour for the parade of athletes.
One of Ireland's foremost composers, Shuan Davey, composed original music for the ceremony, the centrepiece of which was the athlete's song, "May we never have to say good- bye". The song was performed by a choir of 500.
Among the other highlights of the night was the coming together of the largest River dance group ever assembled, 100-strong, drawn from companies around the world as well as Irish dance schools. Open Arts, the Belfast-based theatre company comprising 180 performers with a learning disability and 140 professionals, created the performance Solstice, inspired by the fact that the opening ceremony took place on the longest day of the year in Ireland; the sun set at 10.30pm.
The Ball was a dazzling seven-minute piece created and directed by Macanas and performed by members of the Blue Teapot Theatre Company, a group of performers with learning disabilities. It was inspired by various ball games in the Games.
The climax of the ceremony was undoubtedly the arrival of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope following its 17-day, 7,000-mile journey through 15 European countries, and every corner of Ireland, by law enforcement officers from 20 countries. Police relay running teams from across Europe had carried the torch from Athens, Greece, a journey that began on 4 June. But the final lap was completed by athletes from Lebanon, the United States, El Salvador, China and Northern Ireland.
In an emotional end to the evening, the torch was handed to young Irish athlete David McCaulay, from Derry, who lit the flame to officially herald the start of the Games.
Following the team parade, a select group of athletes took part in raising the Special Olympics flag. Egypt's swimmer Mustafa Abdel-Hamid was among them.
Altogether 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches are taking part in the 10-day event representing 166 delegations speaking 55 languages. An estimated 500,000 spectators are expected to attend the Games.
The local organising committee has issued 80,000 accreditation passes. The organisers have also arranged for 300 buses and 250 cars and motorbikes to serve the participants.
Ayman Abdel-Aziz, regional managing director of the Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, said he was proud that 505 athletes representing 20 Arab countries and Iran were taking part in the Games. He added that coaching clinics held for Arabs had helped increase the number of Special Olympics athletes and had raised the number of events.
Ismail Osman, president of the Egyptian Special Olympics, said he hoped Egypt would do well. "In the Winter Games in North Carolina in 1999 we won 32 medals and we were only a 43- member delegation. Now we are 72 athletes, so I hope the harvest this time is larger," Osman said.
On Monday, the championship's first day, Abdel-Hamid picked up Egypt's first gold medal, in the 50-metre breast stroke.
Egypt is taking part in nine events with 72 men and women athletes, one of the biggest delegations in the Games. The US is the biggest entry with more than 1,200 athletes.
"I'm glad we're here to share with the world these special feelings. I was happy for my athletes because they saw that there are millions of people who care for them," Osman said.
Osman said he was amazed by the opening ceremony. "The Irish people really know how to make these Special Olympics athletes happy. It was a ceremony more outstanding than any other Games."
