|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 19, 2003 17:53:09 GMT -5
U2, Schwarzenegger, Farrell, Brosnan, Locklear, Bon Jovi Participating in Special Olympics World Summer Games Ceremonies6/19/03 4:40:00 PM Contact: Richard Porter, 202-628-3630 Arlene Whittick, (plus) 353-87-677-0424 both of Special Olympics WASHINGTON, June 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Some of Hollywood's brightest stars will join major international figures such as former South African President Nelson Mandela, boxing legend Muhammad Ali and royalty from seven countries on 21 June at Dublin's famous Croke Park to ring in the start of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The World Games will be the largest international sporting event this year. Additional celebrities from the worlds of entertainment and sport who will be attending include: supermodel Naomi Campbell, members of the band Westlife, recording producer Quincy Jones, actor Dylan McDermott, Rev. Joseph Simmons ("Reverend Run" of the rap group, Run-DMC), former Irish football star Packie Bonner, professional golfer Seve Ballesteros, Olympic Gold Medal-winning Irish boxer Michael Carruth, and Olympic Gold Medal winning-gymnast Nadia Comaneci. In addition to these celebrity heavyweights, the Opening Ceremonies will include the largest Riverdance Troupe ever assembled, a choir of 500 and more. Joining them will be 7,000 athletes from 150 countries, as well as tens of thousands of families, volunteers and supporters from all over the world. Total attendance at this spectacular event is expected to be more than 65,000. The climax of the Ceremony will be the arrival of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope following its 17-day journey through 15 European countries and every corner of Ireland by 150 Law Enforcement Officers from around the world. The Torch will be handed to Special Olympics athletes who will light the cauldron to herald the start of the 2003 World Games. About Special Olympics: Special Olympics Inc. is an international organization dedicated to empowering children and adults with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics offers individuals with intellectual disabilities free year-round training and competition in 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. More than 1 million athletes in 150 countries around the world currently participate in Special Olympics (there is no charge to participate in Special Olympics). The movement has launched a quality growth campaign to reach 2 million athletes worldwide by 2005. For more information, contact Richard Porter, Special Olympics, 202-628-3630, or Arlene Whittick, Special Olympics, (plus) 353 87-677-0424. releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=140-06192003www.2003specialolympics.com/en/Photo from a Nov 2001 celebration when Ireland was announced as the venue for 2003:  www.2003specialolympics.com/en/default.asp?page=cdn_iss_03_wel
|
|
Ray
Adventurer
Posts: 81
|
Post by Ray on Jun 19, 2003 19:47:46 GMT -5
Alright U2!!! I don't think I know any of those other people although that guy in the middle of that pic looks a little familiar... ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by curious george on Jun 19, 2003 19:49:48 GMT -5
How wonderful! I"ve never been involved with Special Olympics, but my husband was when he was in college. Great stuff.
cg
|
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Jun 20, 2003 18:48:45 GMT -5
Oh yes, they have a big thing going on concerning the Special Olympics. I noticed it everywhere I went. Great that PB supports that!  Althought I admit that I'm a little frustrated to be back home now that he can be spotted all over the place in Ireland...  |
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 23, 2003 10:48:34 GMT -5
Sea of colour launches Special Olympics Games Sunday, 22 June 2003  The eleventh Special Olympics World Games were spectacularly launched in Dublin last night with a stunning opening ceremony that created a carnival atmosphere to launch the 2003 renewal of the games. Noise, colour and celebration The home of Gaelic football, Croke Park, was transformed from a football stadium into an amphitheatre of noise, colour and celebration as delegations from 166 countries packed the North Dublin venue. The evening marked the end of a 15,000 mile journey across Europe for the Special Olympic 'Flame Of Hope', which was eventually ignited to launch the official opening of the week-long event. Sea of colour Amid a sea of colour, the athletes paraded around the stadium, with the late entrants to the competition, Afghanistan, leading the way. All five continents were represented, with teams and countries of various shapes and sizes accompanied in their lap of honour by representatives of the towns that had hosted them for the previous five days. Warm reception A vibrant array of flags welcomed each country's athletes to the stadium, with a warm reception for each delegation from the massive American squad right down to smaller teams such as Barbados and their four Olympians. The diversity of countries on show was demonstrated by the variety of dress, from the traditional garb of Iran, Qatar and Pakistan to the bright costumes and allure of Mauritius, Lesotho and Tajikistan. Evening of entertainment The introduction of the athletes was followed by an evening of entertainment that celebrated both the very best of Irish culture, and the powerful emotions of pride and joy inspired by the games themselves. A number of national and international celebrities such as Pierce Brosnan, Blackburn Rovers FC and Republic of Ireland international Damien Duff, Ireland manager Brian Kerr, Ronan Keating, Jon Bon Jovi and actor Colin Farrell and Arnold Schwarzenegger played a role in proceedings. Yet, on this occasion, their role was minor as the Olympians deservedly took the limelight and enjoyed their moment of glory. 'Never forget' Irish president Mary McAleese spoke about the magnitude of the occasion. "Ireland is famous for its warm welcomes, but never in the history of this country has there been a bigger and better welcome than the one prepared for the world's best special athletes. We are at the start of a week that none of us will ever forget," she said. 'If you seek courage' Founder of the Special Olympics movement, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, asked the audience to remember the 170 million people with intellectual disabilities around the world that were unable to attend on the evening, and encouraged people worldwide to marvel at the wonder of the games. "If you seek joy, come and see the Special Olympics," she said. "If you seek courage, come and see the athletes of the Special Olympics". 'Potential for greatness' International rock group U2 brought the crowd to their feet and climaxed their performance by introducing Nelson Mandela to a rousing reception. Addressing the athletes, Mandela stated: "You remind us of the potential for greatness that is alive in every one of us". Olympics oath An epic rendition of the official anthem of the 2003 Special Olympics, "May We Never Say Goodbye", concluded the evening after the lighting of the 'Flame Of Hope' and Mandela officially declaring the games to be open. After an enthralling, awe- inspiring evening of celebration, filled with light, spirit and fanfare, the enduring memory remains the sentiment expressed in the oath taken by all the athletes which defines the meaning of these games. "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt". |
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 23, 2003 10:50:46 GMT -5
www.examiner.ie/pport/web/ireland/Full_Story/did-sgGPFTjmWCM92sgdq-nXlDAyFE.aspIrish Examiner
6/23/03
Treat for all tastes at games villageBy Caroline O’Doherty SOMETHING for everyone may be a cliche, but Special Olympics organisers have even managed to arrange a treat that could coax Eddie Irvine out of retirement. In a tent in the Festival Village, designers, technicians and grease monkeys are working on building a Ferrari like the world has never seen before. So it’s made of Lego and it won’t actually go, but don’t be surprised if the Formula One star, fresh from the buzz of the athletes parade at Saturday night’s opening ceremony suddenly feels the urge to get back behind the wheel. The build-a-Ferrari project involving tens of thousands of pieces of Lego and as many contributors, young and old, as can pass by the tent in a week, is just one of many fun activities running at the Festival Village beside the Simmonscourt competition venue sports at the RDS in Dublin. It opened yesterday to an endless stream of visitors from Special Olympics delegations and the general public who have free admission each day from 10.30am to 5.30pm up to and including Saturday, June 28. The marquee village has arts workshops, music and drama all day every day as well as a number of special ticketed events such as yesterday’s all-star fashion show featuring outfits by Irish designers modelled by the country’s top professional models assisted by young amateurs from Down Syndrome Ireland. An exhibition hall has also been erected to showcase the work of disability groups and the products and services of the many sponsors and suppliers of the games, and visitors can buy official Special Olympics caps, t-shirts and other memorabilia or pick up a pack of commemorative stamps from An Post. A food hall housing eight different eateries is open all day as is a chill-out centre for kids (and parents) who want to escape the crowd and enjoy some time in a giant playroom. Other events running each day include caricature drawing run by the students of the National College of Art and Design who, by yesterday evening, had already claimed Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali and Pierce Brosnan as victims; Punch and Judy shows and other children’s theatre productions, and a giant wall mural project for which everyone who visits is asked to paint a square. In addition, today’s events feature storytelling from 10.30-5pm, plaster cast art, 2.30-4pm; the tale of How the elk got to the games, hourly 2-5pm, and street theatre, 10.30-5pm. Additional events later this week include a celebrity reading with Joseph O’Connor, Marian Keyes and special needs writer Dolores McKeever on Wednesday, June 25 at 4pm; a Dance Craic workshop with Jean Butler of Riverdance fame on Friday, June 27 from 12.30-1.30pm and a concert with renowned fiddler Martin Hayes and celebrated guitarist Dennis Cahill on the same day from 5-6pm. Events are free of charge, but entry is by ticket only. Bookings can be made through www.ticketmaster.ie.
|
|
|
|
Post by curious george on Jun 23, 2003 13:06:27 GMT -5
Absolutely wonderful. Great photo of the stadium, too.
cg
|
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 23, 2003 13:19:45 GMT -5
Yes, it is wonderful. I knew the Special Olympics had become bigger and bigger over the years but had no idea that it had become this large and impressive. A pity it's not telecast on worldwide TV like The Olympics are, even if just for a few hours and to see the opening ceremonies. It's an event that deserves to be seen.
Ace
|
|
|
|
Post by curious george on Jun 23, 2003 17:19:32 GMT -5
I didn't know it had gotten that big, either. Quite impressive. Have you checked around to see if any of it is to be broadcast?
cg
|
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 23, 2003 21:01:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by curious george on Jun 23, 2003 21:49:21 GMT -5
That's a shame. These athletes work every bit as hard as the regular Olympians, and I'm sure many put more heart into it. There's certainly no taint of possible under-the-table payments and hopes for lucrative endorsements. (not a blanket condemnation, just a comment)
cg
|
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 23, 2003 23:23:12 GMT -5
I just read that the opneing ceremonies was shown around the world and that hundreds of millions of viewers watched it. So they did have quite the audience. Maybe it was shown here on some cable station and I just missed it.
Ace
|
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Jun 25, 2003 16:31:22 GMT -5
I've seen a little clip on the news about it, but no PB in sight, glad he really was there after all. It's such a shame that the Special Olympics don't get the TV coverage other events get. I can imagine that many people are interested. And I'm not saying that bacause of the stars.
|
|
|
|
Post by wwwpierce007de on Jun 26, 2003 16:30:53 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 26, 2003 21:10:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 28, 2003 12:45:43 GMT -5
Fotoweb has hundreds of photos from the Special Olympics. www.2003pictures.com/fotoweb/searchresult.fwxYou can search for Pierce and there are 20 or so of him awarding medals yesterday June 27th, and a couple form the opening ceremonies.  Opening ceremonies    |
|
|
|
Post by curious george on Jun 28, 2003 12:48:25 GMT -5
Nice pics but he definitely needs a trim!! It doesn't look so bad in the picture from the June 19 post.
cg
|
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 28, 2003 12:54:07 GMT -5
Hmm, could be beause that photo posted on June 19th is from Nov 2001 when he was in Ireland doing Evelyn. Anyhow he's making a film now so his hair has to say the same for continuity. I'm getting used to it.  Ace |
|
|
|
Post by curious george on Jun 28, 2003 12:55:13 GMT -5
Hmm, could be beause that photo posted on June 19th is from Nov 2001 when he was in Ireland doing Evelyn. Ace LOL Yes, I suppose that could be a factor.  cg |
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Jun 28, 2003 15:23:23 GMT -5
I like the third one. Boy, does he look good!!  |
|
