Mary Davis first burst into the public consciousness in 2003 as the Irish woman who spearheaded the Special Olympics moving out of the US for the first time.

EUNICE Kennedy Shriver, the presidential sister who founded the Special Olympics, was celebrated yesterday at a funeral Mass as a fearless warrior for the voiceless who changed the world for millions and an unconventional woman who smoked Cuban cigars and played tackle football.

THE Dublin extravaganza in Croke Park has left the organisers of next year’s Olympic Games in Athens with a very difficult act to follow when they create their Opening Ceremony according to a leading Special Olympics official.

Nelson Mandela, who led the struggle against apartheid rule and went on to become South Africa’s first democratically-elected president, celebrated his birthday today at a belated party attended by thousands of excited children.