As the 14th Special Olympics prepare to begin with an opening ceremony in Los Angeles' Memorial Coliseum today, it's a reminder of when the event came to Dublin all the way back in 2003 - the first time it was held outside the United States.

So from the opening ceremony at Croke Park to some of the joyous scenes across the week-long action, relive some of the action through these photos:

Nelson Mandela and Bono party at the Opening Ceremony ©INPHO/Patrick Bolger

A general View of Croke Park as the teams arrived ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

An athlete with the Irish team waves from the pitch ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Arnold Schwarzenegger in the stadium ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Detlef Stangl of Germany and Ireland's Eamonn Sweeney during a soccer match ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Team Ireland's Claire McNamara is congratulated by gymnastics head coach Sinead Byrne ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Members of the Irish Bocce team ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

One of the Irish Athletes during practice ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Colin Farrell at the closing ceremony ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Volunteers and athletes enjoying the closing ceremony at Croke Park ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy