Everyone can remember the excitement and goodwill which was generated all over the country when the Special Olympic World Games were held in Ireland in 2003. The television coverage of the games raised the profile of the work of Special Olympics Ireland and allowed  the whole country see what can be achieved. The ensuing rise in the level of participation of athletes and volunteers in clubs all over Ireland has shown that there is a huge amount of interest and goodwill in the country for Special Olympics.

The games will feature 1,500 athletes competing in fourteen different sports, as well as over 3,000 volunteers and thousands of family member and Special Olympics’ officials. This event is the culmination of four years of amazing hard work and dedication on the part of the athletes, their coaches, families, volunteers and officials in Special Olympic Ireland.