Special Olympics opening ceremony photos

1 of 10 Croke Park stadium in Dublin is awash with colour for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics

2 of 10 Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela jokes with boxing legend Mohammed Ali

3 of 10 Special athletes from Iraq are welcomed to Ireland by a police officer

4 of 10 Arnold Schwarzenegger is the official torch carrier for the 11th Special Olympics

5 of 10 Athletes from Kazakhstan have travelled to Dublin to compete as the Special Olympics' international appeal grows

6 of 10 Excited competitors from Cyprus are accompanied by pop star Jon Bon Jovi at the opening parade

7 of 10 Singer Ronan Keating joins up with the home team for the parade

8 of 10 Irish rock band U2 are amongst the performers at the star-studded opening ceremony

9 of 10 Irish athlete David McCauley carries the Special Olympics torch the final few yards of its journey

10 of 10 The Special Olympics flame is lit and the games begin with a spectacular fireworks display