Athy has been preparing to play its part in the Special Olympics, writesJames Fitzgerald
If the Special Olympics' athletes of Chile think that the days before the opening ceremony will be spent getting some rest and recuperation in preparation for their competitions, they should think again. From the moment they arrive, the people of the bustling town of Athy have planned a packed schedule of activities, tours and social occasions for the 57 people who will make the trip from Santiago to South Kildare.
Civic receptions, traditional Irish music sessions, walking tours, a trip to the National Stud and Japanese Gardens in nearby Kildare Town, a look around Kilkea Castle, barbecues, parties; the list is endless. They might even find time for some last-minute training courtesy of some of the local sporting organisations who have offered their facilities to the team. Meanwhile, local businesses and private donors have come up with the target €25,000 in funds, with people still coming out of the woodwork to offer their time or cash to prepare for the Chilean team's arrival. Athy Community College has even been running special courses in Spanish for those who want to exchange a few words with the athletes in their native tongue.
"It has been amazing. This project has generated such a community spirit here in the town. I have never experienced it before," says Bernie McHugh, secretary of the Athy Host Town Committee. "We have received support from nearly every group in the town and plenty of individuals as well."
George O'Toole, vice-chairman of the committee, says that prior to their arrival, bunting in red, white and blue as well as Chilean flags will be put up around the town. "We are trying to create a carnival atmosphere for the four days that they will be in town. It is an opportunity for the town to put its best foot forward and really show itself off," he says.
For logistical reasons, the majority of the events during the World Games will be held in Dublin so, in order to include the rest of the country and give international delegations a taste of Irish culture, the Host Town Programme was set up.
With some hosts joining together, a total of 176 towns and villages around the country will welcome the 164 teams from every corner of the world.
"In some ways the Host Town Programme is the heart and soul of the World Games. The welcome that the teams are going to get will be phenomenal and the whole experience will be life-enriching for everyone involved," says Fiona O'Loughlin, general manager of the programme.
"The challenge is really there now. We have a lot to accomplish around the country over the next couple of months but it is inspiring to see what has already been achieved by the 10,000 volunteers in the host towns. I suppose people see that for the duration of the Games, we are all ambassadors to the world."
O'Loughlin says she hopes to get to several of the host towns between June 16th, when the teams arrive, and June 20th, when they head to Dublin, to experience the hectic fun and games first hand.
But most of her time will probably be spent in the Phoenix Park at the monitoring operations centre. She and her team will receive daily reports from each host location, making sure that any problems are dealt with efficiently.
During the Games themselves, she will be co-ordinating the teams of spectators from the towns, keen to cheer on their adoptive sons and daughters from overseas.
That's if the athletes have any energy left, of course.