Schwarzenegger returns to China to celebrate the growth of Special Olympics
In Beijing, Special Olympics Global Torch Bearer and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined hundreds of Special Olympics athletes on 13 November 2005 at a event to celebrate the growth of Special Olympics in China, and to focus world attention on the upcoming Special Olympics World Summer Games, to be held in Shanghai in 2007.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Special Olympics China athlete Zhang Kun raise the torch on the Great Wall of China in 2000, when Schwarzenegger helped launch the Program's five-year growth campaign. On 13 November 2005, he returned to China to congratulate the country and the movement on its spectacular growth to almost 500,000 athletes. |
The event, held at the China Millennium Monument, was attended by dignitaries including Deng Pufang, Chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF); Sun Anmin, Vice Mayor of Beijing; Zhou Taitong, Vice Mayor of Shanghai and Chairman of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games Steering Committee; Tang Xiaoquan, President of CDPF; Wang Zhijun, Chairman of Special Olympics China; Lu Shiming, Executive Vice President of CDPF; the leadership of Special Olympics; and citizens of Beijing.
"When I visited China in 2000 for the Special Olympics China Millennium March, I knew that China would embrace the Special Olympics movement and its athletes," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "But this country has exceeded my expectations. China is truly demonstrating its leadership on the world stage through its commitment to the over 170 million people around the world with intellectual disabilities."
Noting that athlete participation in Special Olympics China has grown dramatically over the past five years, Governor Schwarzenegger said that fact "meant the Chinese people are giving change a chance, they're giving tolerance a chance, they're giving inclusion a chance and they're giving love a chance."
Governor Schwarzenegger attended the event's opening ceremonies, which were followed by a Torch Run, and met with the top leadership both of Special Olympics China and the CDPF. He congratulated them on their tremendous support for people with intellectual disabilities, and encouraged their efforts to build acceptance in the world for this population.
The event at the China Millennium monument was organized by the CDPF, Special Olympics China, the China Disabled Welfare Foundation and the Beijing Municipal Government. Other event supporters included CCTV, the China Millennium Monument Administration Center, Media Center and Yu Yuan Tan Park. Cooperating companies included the Beijing Can Ao Sports Development Co., Ltd; Beijing Zhong Yang Xin Rui Consulting Co., Ltd.; Beijing Zheng Xing Auto Consult Co., Ltd; and the Beijing Tian Zhi Yi Ke Media Center. Media partners included Beijing TV, Central People's Radio Station and Sohu.
China, which also will host the 2008 Olympic Games, will become the first country in history to host the Special Olympics World Games, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games – all within the span of just 12 months. The eyes of the world will be on China as it celebrates the true power of sport and the belief that sport can foster the development of a better and more peaceful world.
The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, from 10-19 October 2007. The event will mark the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time they will be held outside the United States. In addition to some 7,000 athletes, Special Olympics expects the 2007 World Summer Games to draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every continent.
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