Legacy of Ireland's hosting of 2003 Special Olympics continues to resonate 20 years on

The legacy of Ireland's hosting of the Special Olympics World Summer Games 20 years ago continues to resonate to this day, according to the organisation's international CEO Mary Davis.

On 21 June 2003, a memorable opening ceremony was held at Croke Park for what was the start of the 11th edition of the Special Olympics summer games and the first to have been held outside of the United States.

Mayo native Davis played a key role in bringing the event to Ireland and speaking to RTÉ Sport's Paul O'Flynn during the current edition of the Games, which are ongoing in Berlin, the Special Olympics International CEO reflected on how Ireland proved to be a trailblazer in 2003.

"We were the starters, the first to bring the Games outside the US and that helped greatly because China came in after that and then Abu Dhabi and it's wonderful now," she said, pointing to Australia as a country looking to host upcoming editions.

"We're getting lots of interest now. Because I think people felt if a small nation like Ireland, of course punching above our weight all the time, can do it then they can as well.

"So it's really inspired, encouraged and spurred on more countries to bid for the Games outside of the United States, which is fantastic because if you see what happened in Ireland and the whole transformation of the country, that has remained so dedicated, many of the volunteers 20 years later are here (in Berlin) actually."

Davis also feels the impact of 2003 also left a legacy domestically.

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