Shanghai will do its best to create a happy environment for
athletes participating in the Special Olympics World Summer Games,
a top city official told the heads of delegations from 164 nations
and regions yesterday.
During the first head of delegation meeting held in the city
yesterday, Mayor Han Zheng said: "As the host city, we will spare
no effort to create the right conditions for the special athletes
to display their courage and skills, and to enjoy their
participation in the Games."
The Games comes ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, and has
attracted more than 10,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities
from around the world. The nation is seeking to enhance respect and
care for the weakest members of its society.
Tang Xiaoquan, vice-president of the China Disabled Persons'
Federation, said there are about 83 million people with various
disabilities in China, including 9.84 million mentally
disadvantaged individuals.
"People with intellectual disabilities are receiving more care,
respect and assistance from the government and society," Tang said.
"Their difficulties in daily life, rehabilitation, education and
entertainment are being resolved."
The number of Chinese Special Olympics athletes has grown from
50,000 in 2000 to the current 620,000.
In Shanghai, 240 "Sunshine Homes" have been set up since 2005,
providing a community rehabilitation center in every suburb.
"The Special Olympics has totally changed my life. I used to
spend most of my time either at home or school, Ye Shihua, who will
take part in the handball competition, said.
"It has brought me happiness, enriched my life and an
opportunity to make new friends. I will do my best at the Games Ye
said in address to delegates.
The delegation heads, each accompanied by a liaison officer,
commented positively on China's efforts in holding the Games,
especially the Host Town Program that started on Friday.
"The community program has been outstanding. We had the
opportunity yesterday to visit a special education school in
Hangzhou and it's overwhelming," Jennifer Bent-Richard, delegation
head of Canada, said. "We have been to several Special Olympics
Games but never had the opportunity to have training sessions with
athletes from another country. For our athletes it is life
changing."
The delegation heads also praised the efficiency and dedication
of the event's steering committee.
"All requests have been swiftly and quickly attended to. We fell
in love with this city within the first hour of our arrival,"
Bent-Richard said.
Saroba Aurora, heading a delegation of 32 members from Uruguay,
was of a similar view. "Shanghai is a nice, beautiful city, and the
people are passionate and amiable. Despite the long flight our
tiredness disappeared immediately because of the excellent
reception we received."
The delegation heads called for more partnerships with China in
promoting the Special Olympics movement.
"China has provided Canada an opportunity to know its country
and people, we hope we can do the same for China, the Special
Olympics is a good starting point," Bent-Richard said.
"In Canada, it was not that long ago when individuals with
intellectual disabilities were cast aside. Today, they are equal
members of society. All countries go through that phase. China has
a lot to look forward to."
(China Daily October 1, 2007)
