Opening ceremony:Witnesses to the opening ceremony were encouraged by the founder of the Special Olympics, Ms Eunice Kennedy Shriver, to think of those not present, the 170 million people with intellectual problems who were "the world's most innocent victims".
While celebrating the 2003 Games, she said people should not tire in their efforts to reach out to those isolated by a learning disability.
"Think for a moment of those who are not here tonight, those in South Africa who sit alone in a cold institution, those in China who may never put on a backpack and go to school, and those in Washington DC where I live who cry at night because they do not understand; they do not understand why they have no friends, why no one greets them with céad míle fáilte.
"Think of the families, think of the mothers who love their children but feel so desperately alone. Their children have done nothing wrong, committed no crime and perpetuated no injustice. They are the world's most innocent victims, and they suffer only because they are different." Although the Games had yet to be officially opened, Ms Kennedy Shriver had an eye on the next Special Olympics in 2005.
"By that time we want to have a million new athletes. So go home, get ready, prepare and organise yourselves and your friends in the Special Olympics Games."
The Games' founder said: "Forty years ago this week I came to Ireland with my brother, President Kennedy. The first words the President Éamon de Valera said to us in Dublin was the immortal Gaelic saying, céad míle fáilte - a hundred thousand welcomes.
"Forty years later, I am proud to return home to Ireland. I am even more proud to come to this stadium tonight to the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games, to a place where people with intellectual disabilities no longer have to be afraid to live their own dreams. Tonight, in each athlete's story, the Irish dream of freedom and dignity and justice is fulfilled.
"To that world that has known so much fear and division in recent years, let it know what you seek here in Ireland. If you seek joy, come see the Special Olympians. If you seek peace and understanding, come see the athletes of Special Olympics. And if you seek courage, or skill or strength, you come see the athletes of Special Olympics. You are an example for the whole world to follow.
"If we follow the power of love that the Special Olympians show, we will change the world." She added, however: "Even as we celebrate the opening of the largest Games in the history of Special Olympics and the extraordinary athletes of Special Olympics, we can not pause in our efforts. We must remember that there are 170 million people with intellectual problems in the world, people who continue to suffer unmentionable disability."
Earlier, the President, Mrs McAleese, invoked the Olympics oath when welcoming the athletes to Croke Park. "We know that each of you hopes to win, and we know too that whether you win or not each of you will be brave in the attempt."
The President was greeted with loud applause as she walked to the stage from the VIP box in the Hogan Stand. Talking her place at the podium, she declared: "We have been looking forward to this day, to this night, for a very long time. Ireland is famous for its warm welcomes but never in the history of our country has there been a bigger or better welcome for anyone than the welcome prepared for the world's best special athletes.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be the first country outside the United States to host this spectacular event. For months, for long months, thousands of people have been working hard to make sure that, wherever you come from in the world, that here in Ireland you will feel completely at home, and we hope you are feeling that.
"Thank you for coming to Ireland. We are so proud to have you here, and we are very proud of the wonderful way our small island, north, south, east and west, has opened its heart to you, our special visitors. We are willing each one of you on to great success, and we wish you fun and laughter, happy memories and the gift of great new friendship. Between us all, may we fulfil our dreams, Ireland's dreams, of making these the very best Games ever," she said.
Later the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, took the stage to a somewhat less enthusiastic reception. Despite a plea by presenter Patrick Kielty to give Mr Ahern a "warm welcome", the Taoiseach's arrival was met with booing from a small section of the audience and subdued clapping from the rest.
