U2 are set to perform this Saturday at the Opening Ceremony of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

The Ceremony, at Croke Park in Dublin, marks the beginning of the largest sporting event in the world this year, bringing together 7,000 athletes from 160 international delegations who have reached the final of the 2003 World Summer Games.

Also taking part at the event, to be televised live from 7pm on Ireland¹s RTE NETWORK 2, will be Muhammad Ali, The Corrs, Samantha Mumba, Ronan Keating and 100 dancers in the biggest ever performance of Riverdance.

The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, will be among the Guests of Honour, along with Special Olympics Founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and former South African President Nelson Mandela.

In Saturday¹s ceremony, athletes will play a prominent part - raising the Special Olympics flag, swearing the Special Olympics Oath, relaying the torch around the arena and lighting the Flame of Hope.

For the latest on the Special Olympics, click here:
www.2003specialolympics.com