Blair asked to help disabled Iraqi athletes

British Prime Minister Tony Blair was urged today to help fulfil the dream of disabled athletes from Iraq to take part in this summer’s Special Olympics.

Bobby McKee, mayor of Larne in Northern Ireland, confirmed he had written to the PM and Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy to revive the competitors’ dreams after their plans to stay in the town were scrapped because of the war.

“These children have suffered enough,” Mr McKee said.

“They have prepared so hard for the Games and it is the least we and our Government can do to give them back that opportunity.

“If necessary, Larne Council will look at ways of helping with the cost of the trip, but we would hope for Government support too.”

Competitors from all over the world are due to take part in the Special Olympics when they are staged in Dublin in June.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela will formally open the competition at Croke Park before a crowd of 65,000 and an international TV audience.

U2, the Corrs, singer Samantha Mumba and comedian Patrick Kielty are also expected to take part in the opening ceremony.

Special Olympics organisers have insisted that the event will go ahead despite the spread of the deadly Sars virus in the Far East.

Towns and cities across the country are due to host Special Olympics athletes from around the world.

Mr McKee said he and the chief executive of Larne Borough Council had written on behalf of the Iraqi Special Olympics team to make sure that they could play their part.

He also revealed that, if the team were able to travel, he would invite the Prime Minister to welcome the team.