The chief executive of the Special Olympics World Games has pleaded for the event not to be used to highlight the threat of SARS or any perceived inadequacies in the health service.
Speaking at a conference in Waterford at the weekend, Ms Mary Davis stressed that every possible precaution was being taken. "There is an awful lot of concern about SARS. However, I want to assure you that we are taking every precautionary measure to ensure there will be no risk to any of our visitors that come here to the games or to the people of Ireland who have been so supportive throughout the whole process of organising the games," she said.
She acknowledged that there may be genuine concerns for public health but claimed the chances of an athlete bringing the virus into Ireland was minute. "I can understand the concern of everybody in relation to SARS. However, the point we are making is that the number of Special Olympics athletes that are going to be attending from the affected areas is very small. There are less than 300 athletes from the affected countries and if you analyse that down further to the affected areas within the countries it is an even smaller number."
Ms Davis said that an individual not associated with the games was more likely to bring the disease to Ireland. "I am sure it is no greater a risk than anybody who has the right to come into Ireland at the moment; to travel from any of those countries and come in here and perhaps brings SARS with them."
The mayor of Waterford, Cllr Oliver Clery, also urged the public not to get caught up in what may be unfounded panic over SARS.
"Regrettably, we now appear to have 'experts' appearing on radio and in print who inform us that the SARS virus is the greatest danger to this country and requesting the cancellation or the deferment of the games to prevent its spread. However, I feel we should wait for the World Health Organisation report on the matter."