Irish team receives official send-off

The Irish Special Olympics team has received its official send-off at a ceremony in Dublin.

438 Irish athletes are due to take part in 13 of the 21 sports at the games.

The team is the largest ever fielded by Ireland and the second-largest taking part in this year's competition, after the United States.

The Irish athletes, who have been in training since last October, will be based in Leixlip, Lucan, Cellbridge and Kilcock.

Meanwhile Afghanistan has confirmed that it has sent five athletes to take part in the Games. This is the first time the country has ever competed in the Special Olympics.

The delegation, which will be based in Ballygar, Co Galway, is also believed to be the first Afghan team to compete in any international sporting event since 1996.