The Special Olympics World Games kicks off in Berlin in Germany this weekend - with 73 Irish athletes competing.
It's the largest inclusive sporting event in the world, featuring over 7,000 athletes from 190 nations.
Brian O'Callaghan from Limerick became a Special Olympics volunteer after his son Paud was born with Down Syndrome.
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He says volunteering provides enormous help to the athletes:
'Volunteering is so important, it offers a support network to both athletes, the parents and their chaperones.
I think this year, as we have had in previous years, we've the largest army of volunteers coming from Ireland than any of the other 189 participating countries.'
