McDaid to lobby in US

The Minister for Sport, Dr McDaid, left for Washington yesterday for a Special Olympics function at the White House. At the invitation of President Clinton, the Minister will attend a dinner and concert this afternoon to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Special Olympics.

Dr McDaid will avail of the visit to further advance Ireland's case as the preferred site for the Special Olympics in the year 2003.

The Minister announced Ireland's bid last year, and in April the Games selection team visited Dublin, choosing the country as the "preferred site".

The Government has already approved grant assistance of up to £5 million and Dr McDaid is now confident these further discussions will lead to a favourable announcement towards the end of January. "I am very hopeful that our bid will be successful," he said. "These games would be the biggest international sports event ever held in Ireland, involving 7,000 athletes and coaches from about 160 countries. Conservative estimates put the benefits to the Irish economy at over £21 million."

This afternoon's dinner and concert will be presented by Hollywood celebrity Whoopi Goldberg and features many leading American musicians such as Tracy Chapman, Sheryl Crow and Jon Bon Jovi. It will be broadcast throughout the US next Sunday.