The aftermath: Campaigners for people with disabilities have urged the 30,000 volunteers who worked on the Special Olympics to continue their support when the Games finish.
Ms Angela Kerins, chairwoman of the co-ordinating committee of the European Year of People with Disabilities, said it was essential that the goodwill did not end with the close of the Games. "We want to capture the legacy of the Games and bring it forward," she said.
"We have to ensure that we provide the opportunity for people to stay on board. We talk about mainstreaming and here we have people who never had any involvement before and they have all come on board. We want to keep them there."
Today has been designated European Disability Day at the World Games. Mr David Byrne, the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, will attend the Games today and will exchange pins with the Special Olympics athletes.
Ms Kerins will unveil the European Year of Disabilities flag at the artistic gymnastics competition this morning. This flag will also be used at the All-Ireland hurling and football finals.
Ms Kerins said the Games had "profoundly changed" the lives of people with disabilities because they had highlighted their abilities, rather than disabilities.
"This has stimulated Ireland in a way that we haven't been stimulated for many years. Where else would you get so many people supporting an event?"
She said the goodwill was palpable and the challenge to all organisations was to maintain it. The Government's handling of new disability legislation would also be crucial in copperfastening the legacy left by the Games, Ms Kerins said.
"The Games will close on Sunday and it's what happens afterwards that is so important."
A one-day conference takes place today in Trinity College Dublin aimed at highlighting the abilities of people with learning difficulties. The event, organised by the National Institute for the Study of Learning Difficulties in association with the Special Olympics, takes place in the Joly Theatre, Hamilton Building. Entry is free. Speakers include Ms Rita Lawlor, a member of the Games organising committee.
