The on-going Shanghai Special Olympics has witnessed the highest
sports achievement in the history of the Games, said Chairman of
the Special Olympics International (SOI) Timothy Shriver in
Shanghai on Monday.
Shriver called at Shanghai's International Gymnastics Center on
Monday to watch the women's finals of the rhythmic gymnastics.
Although the performances of the intellectual disabled athletes
were comparatively easy, they have made high achievements for
themselves, he said.
"As a representative of the SOI, I want to emphasize that the
Shanghai Special Olympics has achieved highest excellence in
technical facilities and other areas," he said.
Expressing his appreciation for China's preparation for the
event, Shriver said he was excited to see all the athletes showed
their dignities, perseverance in the games and had won attentions
and respect through the event.
The on-going Special Olympics had drawn over 10, 000 athletes
and coaches from 164 countries and regions. The SOI chairman
believes it is most important to let them know everyone can
win.
By participating in the event, the athletes with intellectual
disabilities could strengthen confidence, which helps them to
better blend with the society, Shriver said.
"I marched in with the Chinese delegation on the opening
ceremony of the Special Olympics. It is a grand festival with no
distinction of nationalities," he said.
He hopes the Shanghai Special Olympics would draw more attention
of the entire society to care about the people with intellectual
disabilities. "We need more doctors, teachers and volunteers to be
trained for them, and expect more enterprises to participate in the
Special Olympics movement," he said, calling on enduring attention
for the vulnerable group.
(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2007)