Special Olympics athletes from areas of China and Canada where local transmission of SARS has not been reported will now be able to travel to the Special Olympics in Ireland, the Department of Health's expert group on SARS has decided.
In a statement released shortly before 9 p.m. the expert group announced its U-turn although it reiterated its advice that athletes from SARS affected areas should not travel to the games which begin in Dublin on June 21st.
On the day the Special Olympics torch left Greece on a 17-day journey to Dublin for the games' opening ceremony, the expert group's conclusions are likely to be taken as a final decision.
Participants in the Games are due at their host towns by June 16th.
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