Nearly 170 cities, towns and villages who will be official host centres for the Special Olympics in 2003, when the world summer games are being staged in Ireland, were named in Dublin tonight.
Over 7,000 athletes and 2,000 coaches from 158 countries will be travelling to Ireland for the event, and prepare for the competition - going ahead in and around the Dublin area - at the chosen nationwide locations on both sides of the Irish border.
Alphabetically, the host centres range from Abbeyfeale, in Co Limerick - who will look after competitors from Tajikistan - to Youghal, Co Cork, where contestants from Oman, will be accommodated.
The largest travelling delegation, from the US, will stay in Belfast.
Speaking at today’s launch the Taoiseach said: "The World Games are a Games for every town and village in Ireland - and a great opportunity for Ireland to showcase itself to the world."