After a spectacular opening ceremony in Croke Park last night, the 2003 Special Olympics World Games are underway. Nearly 7,000 athletes from more than 150 countries will begin eight days of competition in 21 sports in 22 venues in Dublin and Belfast.
The athletics programme is being held at the Morton Stadium, Santry until 7 p.m. this evening. The swimming and aquatic events have started at the new National Aquatic Centre at Abbotstown in west Dublin while the Phoenix Park plays host to cycling.
The RDS in Ballsbridge is the venue for gymnastics and powerlifting where the programme is expected to last until 7 p.m.
Admission is free of charge to all 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games competition venues for the duration of the Games.
Tickets are available for two other special events taking place during the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
The 2003 World Games Fashion Show, featuring the designs of Louise Kennedy, Lainey Keogh, Richard Lewis, Peter O'Brien, John Rocha and Mariad Whisker, takes place today at 4 p.m. at the Festival Village in RDS Simmonscourt and doors open at 3.30 p.m.
And a celebrity reading, featuring Maeve Binchy, Marian Keyes, Dolores McKeever and Joseph O'Connor among others, takes place in Festival Village on Wednesday, June 25th, at 4 p.m.
Spectators and volunteers are advised to use public transport to travel to competition venues. There is no parking available at the venues and there will be traffic and parking restrictions in place in the vicinity of the venues.