The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games were hosted in Ireland, with participants staying in various host towns around the island in the lead up to the games. Each town ran programmes to educate the local community about the customs of the country they would host and provided facilities for the teams to acclimatise. Events were held from 21 June-29 June 2003 at many venues including Morton Stadium. Croke Park in Dublin served as the central stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies. Altogether, 177 towns, cities and villages and the Aran Islands hosted national delegations in the run up to the games. Dr. Patrick Treacy was asked to present the medals to the Special Olympians