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(Dublin, IRELAND) — Croke Park will never have seen anything like it…on June 21st, a spectacular Opening Ceremony to herald the beginning of the largest sporting event in the world this year…celebrating the abilities of people with a learning disability and then on June 29th, a Closing Ceremony to honour the 30,000 volunteers who made it all possible.
That was the message from a Reception in Croke Park today (Tuesday, 22nd April) when the World Games Organising Committee with Ceremonies Partners Tyrone Productions and MCD Productions announced details of the Opening Ceremony for the 2003 Special Olympics World Games.
Tyrone Productions will produce the Opening Ceremony. Under the creative direction of Rupert Murray, the production team has been working for almost two years to create an Opening Ceremony that will be a fitting tribute to the abilities of the 7,000 athletes from 160 countries that are attending these World Games. Drawing on the talent of many of Ireland's leading musicians, performers, directors, designers, choreographers and composers Tyrone Productions have put together a spectacular three hour show which will not only be seen by the 75,000 in attendance but also live on RTE Television.
Guests of Honour at the Opening will be President Mary McAleese, Special Olympics Founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and former South African President Nelson Mandela. President McAleese will formally welcome the athletes and join Nelson Mandela when the 11th Special Olympics World Games are officially declared open.
Bono, U2, The Corrs, Samantha Mumba, Ronan Tynan will lead a strong line up of celebrities and stars from the worlds of international sport and showbiz taking part in the entertainment and celebrations. Patrick Kielty will be Master of Ceremonies on the night.
An energetic and fast moving dance routine, A Dash of Colour performed by 350 representatives from the Host Towns throughout the country will provide a spectacular opening to the show and form the Guard of Honour for the Parade of Athletes.
One of Ireland's foremost composers, Shaun Davey has composed original music for the Ceremony, the centrepiece of which will be the Athlete's Song, May We Never Have to Say Goodbye. The song, which will be released as a single in June, will be performed by Rita Connolly, Ronan Tynan, the National Symphony Orchestra, many of Ireland's finest traditional musicians, a pipe band and a choir of 500.
Speaking at the announcement, John McColgan, Executive Director, Tyrone Productions said "We regard it as an honour to be associated with such an inspiring movement. It has been a challenging and exciting experience over the past year and a half. The Opening Ceremony will be a real celebration for the athletes and their families. This is their moment and we will have succeeded if they have the time of their lives".
Among the other highlights of the entertainment will be the coming together of the largest Riverdance group ever assembled, one hundred Riverdancers, drawn from companies worldwide and from Irish dance schools. Open Arts, the Belfast based theatre company comprising of 180 performers with a learning disability and 140 professionals has created a special performance, Solstice inspired by the fact that the Opening Ceremony is taking place on the longest day of the year.
The Ball is a dazzling seven-minute piece created and directed by Macnas and performed by members of The Blue Teapot Theatre Company - a group of performers with learning disability - members of The Macnas Drumming Project and Macnas' own performers and creative team. 'The Ball' is inspired by the various ball games in the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
The climax of the Ceremony will be the arrival of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope following its 17-day journey through 15 European countries and every corner of Ireland by Law Enforcement Officers from 20 countries led by An Garda Siochana and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The Torch will be handed to Special Olympics athletes who will light the World Games Flame to herald the start of the 2003 World Games.
The Closing Ceremony on June 29th, produced by MCD Productions will be a thank you and tribute to the 30,000 volunteers at the World Games. The Ceremony will combine the traditional pageantry of a Closing Ceremony with a two hour concert featuring a star line up which will be announced in early May. The extinguishing of the Special Olympics Flame will signify the conclusion of the 2003 Special Olympics World Games.
MCD are also providing the event management and logistical support for both Ceremonies. One of the biggest stages seen in Ireland will be constructed on Hill 16. 14,000 sq. metres of field cover will be used to protect the new playing surface. MCD executive, Robert Matthews said "We are delighted to support the Special Olympics World Games Opening and Closing ceremonies, the first major events in the new Croke Park. We look forward, with our partners, Tyrone Productions, to creating spectacular events befitting of the Special Olympics World Summer Games".
"Having the Opening and Closing Ceremonies here in Croke Park is a wonderful example of our World Games theme, Share the Feeling" said Denis O'Brien, Chairman, 2003 Special Olympics World Games Organising Committee. "Outstanding organisations, Tyrone Productions, MCD, the GAA and RTE working as one to ensure that we have truly memorable Ceremonies that will be seen throughout the world" he added.
The capacity of Croke Park for each Ceremony will be 65,000. Tickets for the Opening Ceremony are free of charge and will be distributed initially to the 160 participating delegations, their families and supporters. It is estimated that there will be close on 20,000 family members and supporters travelling to Ireland for the Games. The 177 Host Towns throughout Ireland will also be receiving an allocation, as will athletes, families and coaches in Special Olympics Ireland who are not part of Team Ireland at the Games.
For those not lucky enough to get tickets, Games Sponsors, RTE will be broadcasting the entire Opening Ceremony live. This is the first time in the 35-year history of Special Olympics that a World Games Opening Ceremony has been broadcast live. 21 cameras will be used to cover the Opening Ceremony.
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