Special Olympics end on a high note at Croke Park in Dublin.
The Special Olympics in Ireland were brought to an end with a closing ceremony at Croke Park.
Athletes, volunteers and spectators filled the famous stadium to capacity.
Blue, Liberty X, and Westlife provided the musical entertainment. During the Westlife performance, Croke Park was a sea of light marking the end of the games in spectacular style.
The Special Olympics flag was lowered and passed on to the Japanese and Chinese delegations who will host the next games. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it was the end of a unique period of Irish history. Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis paid tribute to the army of volunteers who made the games possible.
The games' Chairman, businessman Denis O'Brien, said that the onus was now on politicians to make sure that the games left a lasting legacy by legislating to fully protect the rights of people with disabilities.
President Mary McAleese formally declared the games officially closed.
The Special Olympics of 2003 came to an end having touched the lives of many.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 30 June 2003. The reporter is Gareth O'Connor.
