THE Special Olympics has made the world of a difference to Emma Doolan. Before joining in 2002, she was reluctant to put herself forward.

THAT was a really disappointing Eurovision, wasn’t it? I found it really hard to figure out.

LAST weekend’s Monte Carlo Global Champions Tour (GCT) contest caused difficulties across the board and Billy Twomey feels it would be unfair to draw conclusions from the performance of any horse, including his own Tinka’s Serenade.

OLYMPIC gold medalist William Loughnane has set another record by becoming the first person with Down Syndrome to successfully pass his driving test.

IT’S almost impossible to describe Shanghai. A city of 20 million people that seems to go on for ever.

TRIBUTES poured in yesterday for a World War II veteran who later became a much-loved Franciscan Brother and peace campaigner.

More than 150 swimmers today arrived in Limerick to compete in the World Down Syndrome Swimmers Championship.

MORE than 150 swimmers representing 15 international teams will begin to arrive in Limerick today for the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships.

South-East Correspondent Neans McSweeney profiles the award-winning Brother Columbanus.

CONGRATULATIONS, Sarah Carroll! An A, three Bs and 2 Cs. It was a great Junior Cert by any standards, and it just goes to show that you can do everything you set your heart on.

MasterCard Europe has named Bank of Ireland as one of three winners of the European co-brand partner of the year award for its Special Olympics Advantage MasterCard credit card.

REVENUES at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) increased by 12% to €10.7 million last year, the society said yesterday.

When he launched the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it provided an important opportunity for Ireland to unite with other European countries in creating a greater awareness of disability issues.

TRANSLATED from its Japanese name, judo means ‘the gentle way’.

The daughter of the founder of the Special Olympics World Games has launched a new childrens book aimed at educating young people about disabilities.

THE extent to which Oliver Doherty has captivated the fans, if not the nation, took the organisers of the golf competition at the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links by surprise yesterday when, three times, extra marshals had to be called in to control the crowds who thronged the course as the Special Olympics World Games entered its third day.

WITH north Cork riders comprising so much of the team, it was fitting that Kevin O’Connor from Kanturk should be awarded Ireland’s first medal asevents got underway at the International Equestrian Centre in Kill yesterday.

BIG things are expected of Oliver Doherty. Yesterday, the gentle golfing giant from Donegal with a club handicap of six proved those expectations to be well founded when shooting 92 and dominating the Portmarnock field.

FORMER South African president Nelson Mandela has spent a lifetime inspiring others and honouring with them with his presence but as far as he was concerned, he was the one under a compliment for being invited to formally open the Special Olympics World Games.

GREATER awareness and acceptance of those with disabilities must be the lasting legacy of the Special Olympics World Games, according to the MD of Disability Ireland.

AIDAN DOWNEY is preparing for the biggest day of his life when he will represent his country at the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday.

Thousands of cheering people welcomed the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” to Northern Ireland today on its journey from Athens to the World Summer Games in Dublin.

TO the average teenager, turning 18 signifies independence, privileges, new beginnings and fresh opportunities. For Shane O’Sullivan, it signals the end of all that.

SINGAPORE was last night removed from the World Health Organisation’s list of SARS affected countries, clearing the way for its participation in the Special Olympics World Games in the weeks ahead.

IT was the words of a Protestant clergyman that really upset me this week.

SO, how’s the European Year of Disabilities going for you? I only ask because stuff seems to be happening in a lot of countries throughout Europe.

ORGANISERS of the Special Olympics World Games were overwhelmed by the huge enthusiasm shown by the 20,000 volunteers who turned up for the weekend’s orientation event at the Point Depot in Dublin.

I REFER to your New Year sports calendar for 2003. I was outraged when I read that the most important sporting event in Ireland in 2003 will be the Irish Open in Portmarnock.

Software company, SAS has announced it is to provide its technology for use at the Special Olympics World Games, which is to be held in Ireland next year.