RP bets off to Dublin Special Olympics

A crack team of mentally-challenged Filipino athletes left for Dublin, Ireland, ready to do battle against some of the world’s special athletes in the International Special Olympics beginning today.

McDonald’s hosted a send-off party recently for the RP delegation (Special Olympics Philippines) with Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit, basketball cager Asi Taulava and celebrity Mandy Ochoa gracing the bash at the McDonald’s Rockwell Power Plant Mall.

The Filipino athletes are competing in track and field, bowling, swimming and power lifting.

The team’s departure was put on hold when the Ministry of Health in Ireland barred the Philippines from participating due to the SARS scare. But after the World Health Organization delisted the Philippines from the list of SARS-infected countries, the Filipinos were given the green light to join the event.

"We almost gave it up," said SOP president Carmel Almendrala in her speech during the program, "if not for the enthusiasm and spirit of these athletes, and support of our partners and sponsors."

"We would like to thank Special Olympics for allowing us to participate in this cause," said Kenneth Yang, executive vice president of McDonalds."