Special Olympics World Summer Games 2003

Skibbereen Host Town
to the Czech Republic Team
2003 Special Olympics Summer World Games Ireland

Skibbereen Host Town Committee
Information Office
53 Bridge Street, Skibbereen
County Cork Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)28 23288/(0)28 23337
Fax: +353 (0)28 22015

2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games
Host Town Programme
June 16-20 2003

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR
'SHARING THE FEELING'

Visit our News Pages & Photo Gallery
(pages & pages of special moments!)

special olympics medals

General Information

What is Special Olympics?

Special Olympics is a year-round sports training and competition programme for children and adults with a learning disability.

It began in 1963, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a summer day camp for children with learning disabilities at her home in Maryland, USA. The purpose was to explore their capabilities in a variety of sports and physical activities. From this start, she has been a leader in the worldwide struggle to improve and enhance the lives of individuals with a learning disability for more than three decades.

Today 160 countries have a Special Olympics programme and almost one millian athletes train and compete on a regular basis. It is largely a volunteer organisation with 750,000 volunteers around the world coaching, administering and assisting the athletes to be their best.

Special Olympics Ireland

In Ireland the movement spans the whole island and has 12,000 athletes competing in 11 sports.

2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games

This is the first time that this major event will be held outside of the US and it will be the largest sporting event in the world in 2003. We are expecting 48,000 visitors to the island of Ireland for the Games, from June 21-29. This is a marvellous opportunity for all of us to showcase the island of Ireland, and to show the world what we are capable of.

The Host Town Programme

Skibbereen is playing a very important role in the 2003 World Games by being a Host Town to Czech Republic. The purpose of the Host Town Programme is to give the athletes an opportunity to rest, practice their sport, enjoy our hospitality and involve all of us in a once-in-a-lifetime project. The local Committee will require assistance and support from people in the community who can bring their skills and interest together to help ensure that our visiting delegation will enjoy the time in our town and is ready and prepared to participate in the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

See our Czech Republic Fact Sheet
for information on:

General History
Special Olympics Involvement
The 2003 Delegation

Manning an Information Stand

Local Contacts for the
Skibbereen Host Town Committee
Information Office
53 Bridge Street, Skibbereen
County Cork Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)28 23288

Eílìs Cohalan / Liam Hodnett
30 Bridge Street, Skibbereen
County Cork Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)28 22332
Fax: +353 (0)28 22015

If you would like to make a donation:
Special Olympics Ireland Ltd
Branch Code 90-29-52
A/C number 63767356

Visit the Skibbereen Town Web Site