Olympians' farewell: Dublin Airport echoed with cheers yesterday afternoon as the last of the Special Olympics athletes left for home.
There were Olés, hugs, kisses and shouts of encouragement for each team, while entertainers and musicians performed for the athletes as they trooped to the departure gates.
There was also some sadness at the airport that the colour and excitement brought here by the athletes was slowly seeping out of the country through the gates of the airport.
For the Philippines delegation, who felt lucky to be at the Olympics at all following the SARS outbreak, the trip was "our version of heaven". Speaking at the airport Ms Carmelita Aleandrala said participation in the games had been "a huge boost" to the Philippines.
"Our country badly needs heroes at the moment, and for these kids to provide them with that is wonderful.
"Thanks to the people of Ireland from the bottom of our hearts".
The small Botswana delegation said that the games had been a marvellous experience. Their highlight was the team's victory over Trinidad to win the football gold medal. The team was full of praise for the people of Trim in Co Meath, their host town, who were "the best we have ever met".
"We couldn't say enough good byes and thank-yous", said a coach for the large Japanese delegation. "We're going to miss the people here very much".
"We didn't care about the medals. Just being part of something like this was incredible".
Ms Olga Bakhareva, the co-ordinator for the games for Central Asia, who was with the 53-strong Kazakhstan team, called the games a "magic" achievement. She praised the host-town programme and the "exceptional" level of organisation.
The opening ceremony was the best she had seen, she added. "Imagine to see James Bond and the Terminator!"
"How can we thank you enough?" said Ms Bakhareva. "This is a small country, but such big people you have".
Ms Maria Fatima, with the 36-strong Macau team said the team was tired but thrilled with an impressive haul of medals.
The volunteers too, looked weary but happy. "Everything is going without a hitch so far," said Mr Daithí Fenner, one of the team of volunteers helping to meet and direct the various teams on arrival at the airport. Some 5,000 extra people went through the airport, but there were no major delays.