Coca-Cola Ireland launch the first trading pins for the
2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games
Coca-Cola Ireland, Global Sponsors of 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games, launched the first trading pins of the Games on 4 June. Joining the Irish Soccer Squad at their training session in Carrick Rovers Football Club in Monaghan were Special Olympics Ireland athletes Gerard Lawlor, Robbie Whyte, Nuala MacAuliffe and John Cunningham from Steadfast House, Carrickmacross.
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Republic of Ireland football (soccer) players Robbie Keane, Kevin Kilbane and Stephen Carr with Special Olympics Ireland athlete Robbie Whyte at the launch of Coca-Cola Pin Trading for the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. [Photo by David Maher / SPORTSFILE *EDI*] |
Steve Harrold, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Ireland said: "We are very pleased to be associated with such a wonderful and worthwhile event. A key activity as part of our programme to support 2003 World Games is Coca-Cola Pin Trading. Collecting and trading Special Olympics Games pins has become an important social aspect of the Special Olympics World Summer Games. A variety of specially designed Coca-Cola/Special Olympics pins will be available during the World Games, and interactive Coca-Cola pin trading kiosks will be a key feature of Festival Village and Olympic Town."
Pin trading is a huge hobby linked to the Special Olympics World Games where athletes, their families and supporters from all over the world trade pins in the name of friendship and as memories of the big event. Many of the athletes, families and supporters have been collecting Special Olympics Games pins since the Games first began in 1968.
Seven specially designed Coca-Cola limited edition 'Pins of the Day' will be available from the first day of the Games and will be traded throughout the duration of the Games, ending up in pin collections all over the world. The Coca-Cola Company has been affiliated with Special Olympics since 1978, and was the movement's first corporate sponsor. As well as providing over two million servings of soft drinks, juices and water to 2003 World Games, Coca-Cola Ireland will be the driving force behind Pin Trading, expected to be one of the most popular social activities for athletes, family members and the general public at Games time.
'Paint the Feeling' Art Exhibition opens
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Myles Dungan, RTE Presenter; Cllr. Michael Kennedy, Cathaoirleach Fingal County Council; Annette Kelly, Assistant Director Libraries' Council; Special Olympics athletes and artists Darragh Jones and Dan Wilson; and World Games Patron Fergus Finlay at the opening of the International Art Exhibition, a showcase of art from Special Olympics delegations throughout the world, in the Blachardstown Library, Civic Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin. [Photo by Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE] |
The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games' Art Exhibition was launched on 2 June at Blanchardstown Library in the Blanchardstown Centre. Entitled 'Paint the Feeling', the exhibition is intended to offer people with a learning disability who will not be competing in the Games, or people for whom the field of sport is not an area of interest or expertise, a chance to get involved in the biggest sporting and cultural event in the world this year.
Speaking at the launch of the exhibition, Fergus Finlay, Patron of the World Games and Board Member of Special Olympics Ireland said: "Today marks the real beginning of what is going to be a memorable month for all who participate in the Games. From here on out, the fruits of many people's hard work and dedication over the past three years comes to life."
He added: "For the Art Exhibition Program, this is an auspicious beginning and an important stepping stone. Being here today, surrounded by some outstanding works of art, I am more certain than ever that this is an aspect of Special Olympics that will grow and develop over the coming years and will be a feature of all World Games to come."
There are two aspects to this exhibition. The first has a truly global scope, with artwork received from over 60 countries participating at the World Games. Visiting delegations were invited to submit two pieces of artwork to represent their delegation. One piece will be on display in Blanchardstown Library and the other has gone to that delegation's Host Town local library, where it will form the centerpiece of a local community exhibition.
Local communities form the second strand to this unique project. Artwork has been submitted from Special Olympics Ireland athletes, from individuals and groups of people with disabilities and from many other community groups all around the island of Ireland for display in the windows of homes, shops and civic centersn towns and villages across the island of Ireland. These varied artworks will add to the colorful décor that will welcome the delegations upon their arrival on 16 June. |
