Ulysses role in Special Olympics

24 June 2002: Motorists arriving by car ferry from Britain next year could find themselves sharing space on board with convoys of equipment bound for the biggest sporting event to take place in the world in 2003 - the 11th Special Olympics World Summer Games which will be held in Ireland beginning next June.

Under a 300,000 euros support package promised by Irish Ferries, the Games organisers will utilise the three miles of vehicle lane space on board their giant ferry ‘Ulysses’ to transport much of the material, trucks, personnel and equipment required to stage the 9-day event. The package also includes direct financial assistance.

Pictured (above) at the announcement of the sponsorship are the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games CEO Mary Davis and Irish Ferries Managing Director, Eamonn Rothwell.

This will be the first occasion on which the games will be held outside the United States. It is expected they will bring a major boost to Irish tourism attracting some 7,000 participants from 160 countries accompanied by an estimated 31,000 supporters comprising delegates, families and friends.

Irish Ferries’ 1,000 employees are also being asked to join families throughout Ireland in offering accommodation to participants and their families under the Games’ volunteer programme.

June 2002