Now in the Street there is Violence.

At the Special Olympics in Glasgow in 1990, no one took much notice, other than the people who were involved, their friends, families and relatives.

I got involved through a temporary job, and dragged himself in to enjoy it too... we worked, and we volunteered. For over 4 weeks we threw ourselves into the joy of people who cared not a jot about winning; this was truly all about the taking part.

The opening ceremony of those games was attended by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Don Johnson, Melanie Griffiths, Eunice Shriver, Queen Noor of Jordan, the Duke of Edinburgh... the entertainment was provided by the bands of the year, Wet Wet Wet, and Roxette.

We volunteers all wore the most horrific shell suits, pretty reminiscent of the blue the poor Scotland team are wearing tonight - but minus the bloody awful tartan.

There was no worldwide coverage of the Opening Ceremony, despite there being athletes from all over the world... not brilliant athletes, but lovely people who were so desperately keen to take part. We, the volunteers stood in Celtic Park and screamed ourselves hoarse to celebrate these amazing people, we all gave the oath willingly,

I promise to give of the time in my life, so that Special Olympics athletes can have the time of their lives.
I promise to support Special Olympics not just as an expression of charity, but as a form of respect for my fellow human beings.
I promise to spread the word of volunteerism because in giving, I receive so much more in return.

And then we all filled up and blubbed as the athletes gave their oath

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt".

And there wasn't a dancing tunnocks tea cake in sight.