Special Olympics: 'Best of humanity' at Berlin games as Team Ireland eyes gold

The fireworks fizzed, the Special Olympics' flame flickered and athletes cheered, laughed and danced for hours on end, as the Special Olympic World Games sparkled into life in Berlin over the weekend.

Team Ireland has sent 73 athletes across 12 sports and they were straight into action.

Ireland’s Women’s basketball team was one of the first on the field of play, getting off to a flying start with a win over Sweden in the group stage.

Vikki McGill from Donegal says their team spirit is driving them on.

"I’m so proud. Proud for my family and friends to be here," she said.

"We sing we laugh, we have the craic. We’re always late for everything," she says with a laugh over the deafening din of the sound system in Berlin’s Messe Halle.

It is a magic moment for family and friends watching on too.

"I think you see the best of humanity when you come to Special Olympics," says Caroline Walsh, sister of Basketballer Deirdre Walsh from Skerries in Dublin.

"She was one in a million really, so I knew she would represent us at something," Ms Walsh says smiling.

"But it’s tough for parents and families with special needs and that can’t be underestimated.I hope an event like this highlights how we need services.

"I think Ireland is an excellent place for children with special needs to grow up, but I always feel more can be done and I think if events like this highlight it, then that’s really important as well."

The Special Olympics have come a long way from their origin as a summer camp set up by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, JFK’s sister, back in the 1960s.

Her son Tim is Chairman of the movement today and, speaking to RTÉ News, he says it is deeply significant that the games are here in Berlin.

"The last time there were an Olympics in Berlin was 1936,"