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Fireworks lit up the sky just after "The Flame of Hope" ignited the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games cauldron. Students at Ireland's National College of Art and Design were given the challenge of creating a contemporary Irish vessel reflecting the significance of Special Olympics. Teams of two (one student from metal, one from glass) entered the design competition, which was won by Tracey O'Callaghan (metal) and Grainne McElroy (glass) with their entry, "Celtic Warrior." Using images of ancient Celtic weapons, shields, and jewelry as their source of inspiration, the design features the fluidity of organic line, shape and form, with an overall visual impact of calm and serenity. It is made primarily from copper sheet on a steel substructure, constructed by staff and students from the metals department in the workshop of silversmith Brian Clarke in Co. Wicklow.
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The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games have concluded in Dublin, Ireland. Full coverage and event results were covered on the official 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games Web site, including copies of the official daily newspaper, The Games Gazette. From 21-29 June 2003, 7,000 Special Olympics athletes (meet athletes here) from 150 countries competed in 18 official sports and three exhibition sports.
For a fresh perspective of the athletes, competition, and more, read the articles written by participants in the 2003 Global Youth Summit, held in conjunction with the Games.
Held for the first time outside the United States, the Summer Games were the largest sporting event in the world in 2003. "Holding the World Summer Games outside the United States is an important step in our movement's efforts to globalize and innovate," said Special Olympics President and CEO Timothy Shriver. "Ireland is the ideal venue from which to focus the world's attention on the heroics of Special Olympics athletes from around the world."
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