75,000 join in the celebrations at Croke Park to close the Games

The Special Olympics drew to a close in front of 75,000 spectators in Croke Park last night with promises that the spirit of the Games will endure despite the quenching of the Olympic flame.

While the official flag was lowered and passed on to the organisers of the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Japan, it was announced that a permanent volunteer corps will be established to help the disabled at a local level.

The chief executive of the Games, Ms Mary Davis, said the event had been an outstanding success which had surpassed the organisers' expectations.

"We're thrilled that everything went so well. We still can't believe the reaction. Going around the venues this morning, people were wondering what they'll do tomorrow and next week. So it's important to tap into that now before it quenches," she told The Irish Times.

The organisers will be writing to the 30,000 volunteers who helped to stage the Special Olympics inviting them to continue assisting the movement and other organisations working for the disabled around the country.

Speaking in advance of last night closing ceremony, The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern said "people of all persuasions" had worked on the Special Olympics and said he hoped this work could continue into the future.

The closing ceremony, a celebration for the volunteers and athletes, featured performances from Westlife, Blue and Ireland's Eurovision song contest entrant, Mickey Harte.

It also included a number of formal events such as the lowering of the Special Olympics flag and the quenching of the "flame of hope" in the stadium and an official closing speech by President Mary McAleese.

The Taoiseach also presented replica flags to Japanese Special Olympics organisers who have closely observed Ireland's staging of the event.

The final medals for a number of sports were also awarded at a number of venues across Dublin yesterday, including swimming, athletics, volleyball and handball.

Laura Jane Dunne (19) from Dundrum, Dublin, won one of Team Ireland's final gold medals in the National Aquatic Centre.

Tributes were also paid to State agencies, such as the Garda, Fire Service and Defence Forces, who played an important role behind the scenes in ensuring the Games went off smoothly.

Ms Jessie Walsh, safety and risk manager with the Special Olympics World Games, said two years of planning and the work of 175 volunteers had paid off.

"It's been a great success. We had a duty of care for the 30,000 volunteers and their 10,000 family and friends. It was quite an undertaking, but we had an excellent week," Ms Walsh said.

Ms Patricia Hickey, families co-ordinator for Team Ireland, said the work of volunteers was vital to ensuring the Special Olympics continued to grow in Ireland.

"Volunteers are saying they've had such as happy and positive experience they are asking what can they do. It doesn't matter where they come from, there are lots of Special Olympics clubs, and that's the legacy of the Games," Ms Hickey said.

"The Special Olympics isn't just about Team Ireland and the 452 athletes. It's about the thousands and thousands of athletes who turn up week in and week out in 14 different sports. We need all the volunteers to stay with us."

Ms Hickey, who has two autistic 16-year-old sons, also called on the Government do display its commitment to the disabled by introducing a rights-based Disability Bill which would guarantee vital services..

"The Games have brought disability to the front pages. We're waiting for the Bills and the Taoiseach is meeting a coalition of groups soon. I don't have very high hopes, but we have to wait and see," she said.

The Taoiseach and the Minister of State for Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea, are due to meet representatives of disability groups to discuss the forthcoming Disabilities Bill shortly. It is expected to propose an alternative to the courts which would adjudicate on the delivery of key services.