Brussels, 19/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner for Sport, Viviane Reding was in Dublin on Thursday, representing the European Commission at the opening ceremony of the 11th "Special Olympics", games held for the mentally handicapped in Ireland from 20-29 June. This is the first time that these games, which take place every four years, are being organised in Europe. They take place the year before the Olympic Games and the Para-Olympics (which involve the physically disabled). The EU is providing substantial support to the "Special Olympics", with more than EUR 6 million. In particular, the EU has funded the sending of 200 young volunteers to Dublin for the Games from the whole of Europe. Viviane Reding will sign the agreement for these young volunteers on Friday in Dublin, in the presence of the Irish Minister for Sport, Mr John O'Donoghue.