The 11th Special Olympics summer games for adults and children with learning disabilities are to be held at 23 venues in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland between 16-29 June.

This is the first time that the games have been held outside the US since their inception in 1968.

The Special Olympics movement aims to help adults and children with learning disabilities to improve self-esteem and realise their capabilities.

It was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of John F Kennedy.

The Olympic torch will be lit on 4 June in Athens, Greece and carried by European police officers through 17 cities in 15 countries across Europe.

The flame is due to arrive in Bangor, County Down on 13 June.

Details of the relay were announced at a reception in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Monday.

It will be carried by officers from the PSNI and Irish police service the Garda Siochana over a number of days before being handed over to a Special Olympics athlete at the games' opening ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin on 21 June.

The Special Olympics are a testament to the triumph of the human spirit over the challenge of adversity PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde

Four separate teams of officers will carry the flame through more than 130 communities in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde said on Monday he was "delighted" that the service could play its part.

He said the games were "a testament to the triumph of the human spirit over the challenge of adversity".

Movement

More than 7,000 athletes with learning disabilities from 160 countries will compete in the games.

The King's Hall in Belfast is hosting the rollerskating competition.

Twenty two towns across Northern Ireland will host various international teams and their families.

Larne had been due to host the Iraqi team, but it confirmed earlier this month that it would not be coming to take part because of the war.

A sign erected to welcome the Iraqi team to the County Antrim town had been vandalised.

Service families in the area said the signs were inappropriate and called for them to be removed.