After an overwhelming welcome and a magical opening ceremony, politics reared its head at the Special Olympics yesterday when athletes from Saudi Arabia and Algeria refused to play Israel in football and table-tennis competitions.
They cited political reasons for their protest. The Israeli team said that it was "saddened" by the developments. The teams who refused to compete may face disqualification from the competition.
The first major competitive day of the Special Olympics gets under way this morning, following the euphoria of the opening ceremony.
Mr Tim Shriver, president of the Games, said that the ceremony was an "extraordinary success" which reflected the vision of the Special Olympics movement.
"I just can't imagine a night on which Ireland was more beautiful. Whether talking to political leaders or others, the consistent message was that this was one of the greatest nights in the history of the country. Never more united, never more at one with itself, never more proud of what it has accomplished," he told The Irish Times.
Thousands of spectators turned out at 21 sports venues across Dublin yesterday.
After a number of heats in which athletes are categorised according to their ability, the first medals of the Games were won.
Ms Cynthia Coffin (21), of Team USA, had the honour of winning the first gold. She won the 10,000 metres at Morton Stadium, Santry.
Ireland also had its first medal-winner, as 13-year-old Sammy Jo Sweeney, from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, took the bronze in the 50 metres.
At the spectacular three-hour opening ceremony on Saturday night, the 7,000 athletes were met by a dazzling display of colour, a deafening welcome and waves of emotion in a packed Croke Park.
The former South African president, Mr Nelson Mandela, who officially opened the Games, received a standing ovation from the 85,000-strong crowd.
The ceremony culminated with the lighting of the Olympic flame by David McCauley (16), from Creggan in Derry City, and coincided with a massive fireworks display over Dublin's night sky.
The chairman of the Games organising committee, Mr Denis O'Brien, used the opening ceremony to call on the Government to sign up to the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who received a mixed reception from the crowd, praised the huge effort behind the Games and said he hoped this would motivate people to become involved in other voluntary activities.
