b'IN 2003, IRELAND WAS PROUD TO HOST THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES.YEARS OF PLANNING CULMINATED IN TEN DAYS OF IRELAND BEING ON THE WORLD STAGE AS 7,000 ATHLETES FROM 160 COUNTRIESTRAVELLED TO COMPETE. CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE THE BEST WORLD SUMMER GAMES EVER HELD, THEEVENT HAD A GALVANIZING EFFECT ON IRELAND.177 HOST TOWNS OPENED THEIR DOORS AND HOMES TO ATH-LETES AND THEIR FAMILIES. IRISH HOSPITALITY WAS ON FULL DISPLAY AND THERE WAS A NEW AWARENESSOF THE CAPABILITIES OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.THE SPARK WhentheGameswereover,athletes,familiesand spectators returned to their homes. But the fire was litfor many families of those with intellectual disabilitieswho wanted to keep the spirit of the Games going longafter the flame had left Ireland. TheBlueDolphinsSpecialOlympicsClubof Wicklow was born from the overwhelmingly positive experience of families who attended the Games. PamBeacom and her daughter Aisling attended the Gamesand returned to Wicklow to help found the Blue DolphinsClub. Until we started there was nothing in Wicklow forpeople with intellectual disabilities, says Pam Beacom.We started with two sports, swimming and basketball,and immediately we had about 30 athletes.Ten years later, the Blue Dolphins Special OlympicsClub offers numerous sports to its athletes and has beenembraced by the Wicklow community. Athletes havechallenged local police officers to numerous informalgames of basketball and the local government is proudto support the Club as well. Best of all, it has had atransformative effect on athletes and their families. connect2014 | 37'