Opening ceremony the best ever, says Eunice
Visiting one the nerve centres of the games at the RDS yesterday, she indicated she saw no reason why the event couldn't return here. "That's up to Ireland. Anything they want to do, I'm in favour of them," she said.
The 82-year-old sister of the late president John F. Kennedy said Saturday night's opening ceremony was the "best ever" in the 35-year history of the event which she created and cultivated from the humble origins of a summer camp at her own home for a few local young people.
"I think the event the other evening, certainly in my experience, was the best I have ever seen," she said, praising the colour and creativity of the Croke Park spectacle.
"Whether in song, whether in music or fireworks or whatever it is, they were able to grab the minds of so many people."
The RDS had a steady stream of VIP visitors yesterday as ambassadors from various participating nations and no less than four first ladies from South America dropped by to meet athletes, coaches and volunteers.
For a second day running Muhammad Ali arrived early, made a beeline for the athletes and posed for photographs much to the delight of the sportsmen and women who were charmed by the legendary boxer.
Veteran champion golfer Sandy Lyle also paid a visit and later joined with Seve Ballesteros in checking out the golfing competitions at Portmarnock.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern stopped off on a tour of games venues and joined Republic of Ireland football manager Brian Kerr in encouraging the public to get out to the competitions.
Mr Ahern said he was struck by the enormous sense of fun and joy he had seen at the competitions and urged people to come and share the experience which, he pointed out, they had helped create.
"With all the fundraising and organising, I don't think there is a person in the country who hasn't contributed in some way over the last three or four years so it really is a national effort."
Brian Kerr said the attitude of the coaches gave him food for thought as he embarks on his own battle to get Ireland through to the European Cup finals in Portugal next year.
"It's just a pleasure to be mixing among these people. Everybody's smiling, everybody's giving their all, the coaches are saying all the right words. They are constantly inspiring," he said.
"We give out about players because maybe they're not doing what you want but when I see the patience of the coaches, their commitment and the joy they bring to the job given the difficulties they have to overcome, they make you think about your own role that maybe there are other ways of doing it."
