Problems with visas continued to hamper efforts yesterday by some Special Olympics teams to reach Ireland in time for the Games. Alison Healy reports.
The Special Olympics organisers were, however, confident that most teams would be able to participate, though they may not be able to visit their host towns.
But there remains a doubt that the Cameroon team will make it to the Games, organisers said yesterday. However, all other delayed delegations are expected to make it to Dublin in time for the Games.
Difficulties with paperwork put a question mark over Cameroon's participation, a Special Olympics spokeswoman said. "We are working with the relevant authorities to sort this out," she said.
There was better news for Castleblaney yesterday. The Sierra Leone team is now expected to make it to the Co Monaghan town for a short visit.They are expected to arrive tomorrow morning, and it is hoped that they will travel directly to Monaghan and return in time for the competitions and opening ceremony.
The delegation from Gabon was expected to be the first team to arrive at Shannon airport last Saturday, but paperwork problems have meant the team has still not arrived. It is now expected they will arrive in time for the competitions, but may not have time to visit their host town of Mitchelstown, Co Cork.
The Nigerian team is expected to arrive tomorrow but it is unlikely that they will have time to travel to Killybegs, their host town.
Special Olympics organisers said incomplete paperwork had also held up Ghana, but it was hoped the team would arrive in the coming days.
Special Olympics organisers are in contact with regional Special Olympics officials in Mauritania, in a bid to sort out incomplete paperwork. The team was due to visit Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. Another Leitrim town,Mohill, may also be disappointed, as it seems the Congo team will not arrive in time for its host town programme.
The Mali team are also expected to arrive in the coming days. The Guadaloupe team were delayed this week, but they are now expected to arrive today and will be visiting their host town of Limavady, Co Derry.
Host town organisers in Templemore were delighted yesterday when they were told the Libyan team would visit the Tipperary town.
Locals praised Mr Denis O'Brien and Special Olympics organisers in Dublin for arranging a private jet to bring the 12-strong delegation from Libya to Ireland. A failure to process and collect visas from the Irish consulate in Tunisia led to the team being stranded on home soil last Monday.
"We are overwhelmed by Denis O'Brien's generosity. We thank him and the Special Olympic organisers for pulling out the stops," said Ms Joan Byrne, chairwoman of Templemore host town committee.
Meanwhile, Special Olympics organisers have said they will facilitate people with hearing impairments who plan to attend Saturday's opening ceremony. The organisers had come in for criticism from the Irish Deaf Society for not making comprehensive arrangements for people with hearing impairments.
"A designated seating area for the hearing impaired has been assigned at Croke Park, and a signer will be on hand to enhance their enjoyment of this wonderful event," a Special Olympics spokeswoman said.