REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 2003 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 2003 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES CROKE PARK, DUBLIN
It is hard to believe but we have come to the end of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. All week we have been thrilled by your sporting talent. Each and every athlete takes home the admiration and respect of the people of Ireland. Whether you won a medal or not, you did your heroic best and you brought out the best in us. Your happiness was infectious, your love of life, your courage, your gift of friendship, you brought all the cultures of the world to Ireland and you made us a better place for simply being here. Thank you for giving us the time of our lives.
The amazing army of organisers and volunteers, of host towns and host families, of supporters and well-wishers, of fundraisers and artists, they in return have given you a wealth of magical memories. They have elevated the legendary Irish welcome to a new level of graciousness and goodness. They have given Ireland a burning pride in the profound generosity and genius of her people.
Together you have changed forever the future for people with disabilities. The words “no you can’t” have been drowned out by a resounding “yes - we can.”
Ireland’s 2003 Olympic flame will soon be extinguished but we have learnt a lot about you and about ourselves. Your inspiration, your spirit will endure. You came to us as strangers. You leave us as much loved friends. I hope you have had a wonderful time here and that wherever you go you will long remember this summer in Dublin when the world’s greatest special athletes came to Ireland and Ireland gave them the world’s greatest special welcome.
And now as we move to extinguish the flame in Dublin and we pass the Torch to our lucky successors, Japan, I declare the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games officially closed.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir. Thank you.