Ahern: keep SARS threat in perspective

Bertie Ahern today urged towns hosting Special Olympic athletes from SARS-affected areas to keep a sense of perspective about the threat posed.

He said it was too early for towns to decide not to accommodate teams.

“The situation in relation to SARS is evolving,” he said. “Consequently the full details of the arrangements that will ultimately apply are not yet finalised.

“In my own view it is too early for any host town to decide that adequate arrangements to provide the kind of reassurance that is required on this issue cannot be put in place.”

Around 7,000 athletes from 166 countries are heading for Ireland for the event in June.

Some 500 of these are set to travel from SARS-affected areas like China, Hong Kong and Canada.

Towns and cities across Ireland are hosting the teams for a number of days before the event, but earlier this week one town due to greet Hong Kong athletes decided the risk posed by SARS was too great.

Clonmel Borough Council in Co Tipperary announced “with regret” that it had decided the delegation should not visit the area this summer.

The council said it felt it had no choice but to recommend the athletes should not stay with their host families.

Speaking after a meeting with Special Olympics representatives this morning, Mr Ahern said he understood there was serious concern in host towns about the potential threat.

He said he understood the demand for reassurance that systems would be in place to guarantee the health of volunteers, athletes and visitors to the Games.

“The Government shares those concerns and the Department of Health and Children and the Special Olympics Committee are working on advice from the World Health Organisation to ensure that the appropriate public health measures should be (in place).

“This is being done in consultation with the World Health Organisation.”

Athletes from countries hit by SARS have been asked to spend up to two weeks in quarantine before travelling to Ireland.