Hello from Croke Park, packed out with 70,000 people for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics. A few sprinkles earlier but it's a lovely evening now. My pal Val & I stumbled right into the HUGE line of international athletes,many in native dress, waiting just outside the park to head in. We got a special kick out of the Jamaican team, in bright track suits, all swaying and singing Bob Marley songs. Everything's gonna be all right... Yeah! Iraq's little team got a big cheer, followed in the parade by Israel, which also got a cheer. The alphabet and sportsmanship can be a great peacemaker.

Now we're inside, where all the spectators have been given coloured flags to wave. Irish president Mary McAleese, resplendent in scarlet, had a spectacular entrance, accompanied by an onstage symphony! Her speech was gracious and -- very appropriately -- short. Not all politicians would recognise brevity as a virtue...

We've just had 2 songs from the Corrs -- the Irish team were all jigging & reeling down on the main field (the athletes are all on the field itself). Then, Arnold Schwarzenneger! (married to a Shriver, the family that started all this). A big hit with the teams.

The flag's being brought in now to 120 drummers... The atmosphere here is really stupendous... And up goes the flag...!

More later!
9:18:51 PM  #   your two cents []