Belfast to 'Share the Feeling' of Special Olympics

The people of Belfast are being urged this week to ‘Share The Feeling’ of the largest sporting and cultural event ever staged in Ireland.

Over 6,500 special athletes from 160 international delegations will be taking part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin this June – which are being held outside the US for the first time.

Belfast will be acting as Host City to more than 1,300 athletes from Team USA, who will spend five days, from June 16 through 20, acclimatising, training and being entertained in Belfast prior to travelling to Dublin.

It is a massive undertaking for the City, and 200 volunteers will be needed to help stage the Belfast Host City programme. Belfast's King's Hall will also be hosting rollerskating for the World Games.

Diane Poole, Chair of 2003 World Games' Northern Ireland Fundraising Committee, said: "The motto of the Games is 'Share the Feeling' and this Programme presents an opportunity for organisations and individuals to do just that. We hope that Northern Ireland people will get involved and play their part."

Many of the volunteers who already have offered their services for the event will be attending their inaugural briefing session at the City Hall this Thursday.

Staff from Belfast City Council and other public sector agencies, such as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the PSNI and the Fire Brigade, and a number of local companies, including the Bank of Ireland, also will be attending the event to hear about the benefits of volunteering and how they too can ‘Share The Feeling’ of the Special Olympics.

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday June 21 at Croke Park, Dublin.

(GMcG)