The 11th Special Olympics summer games are to be held in Dublin in June.

Belfast is set to be a host city to more than 1,300 athletes and backroom staff from the US team.

This is the first time the games for people with learning disabilities have been held outside the US.

The team will spend five days training and acclimatising in Belfast before travelling to Dublin.

Twenty three towns across Northern Ireland will host various teams from around the world.

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Belfast organising committee chairman Wallace Browne said there were many ways in which people could lend their support.

"Obviously, the role of any volunteer will depend upon the amount of time they can commit to assisting the Belfast Host City programme - although we would ask that people commit to at least two days out of the five days of the programme."

Self-esteem

US team manager Melanie Ferlito was enthusiastic about coming to Belfast.

"Some of us have had the great pleasure of visiting this beautiful city on a couple of occasions: the warmth and friendship which we have enjoyed have made us feel right at home and I have absolutely no doubt that it is the same feeling which the entire team will enjoy in June," she said.

More than 6,500 athletes from 160 international delegations are due to take part in the games.

The Special Olympics movement was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of John F Kennedy.

It aims to help adults and children with learning disabilities to improve self-esteem and realise their capabilities.