The Special Olympics Torch has arrived in Ireland this morning to mark the start of a week of activities in towns and villages across the island that culminate in the opening ceremony in Croke Park.
"The Flame of Hope," which has travelled 15,000 kilometres across Europe from Athens, made a dramatic entrance to Bangor, Co Down, when a police officer carrying the flame was winched by helicopter from the HMS Bangoronto Bangor's Central marina.
Some 160 officers from the PSNI and Garda Síochána will help carry the flame through 130 towns, cities and villages before the official flame-lighting ceremony in Croke Park on Saturday, June 21st.
It was confirmed yesterday that all Special Olympics athletes from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-affected areas will be able to compete in the games.
Athletes from the Taiwan team were officially given permission to travel after health authorities said their proposal to travel to a virus-free area in advance of the Olympics was acceptable.