Decision by Dept of Health on Special Olympics

Athletes from parts of China and Canada not affected by SARS will be allowed to take part in the Special Olympics later this month.

Last month the Department of Health decided that competitors from areas hit by the disease would not be able to travel to the games.

But it made its U-turn announcement tonight after a special meeting of its expert group on SARS.

The group repeated its advice that delegations from affected areas should not travel to the competition, which starts on June 21.

The Special Olympics’ committee welcomed the move but said it still questioned the decision not to allow others to travel.

Athletes with disabilities are due to arrive on June 16 when they will stay in their host towns across the country.

They will then make their way to Dublin for the opening ceremony on June 21.