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Coca-Cola President and CEO Muhtar Kent presented Special Olympics with a check for RMB 8 million (more than US$1 million) on 1 October in Shanghai, China. Dr. Shi Derong, Vice Chairman of Special Olympics China (left) and Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver accepted the check on behalf of Special Olympics.
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On 1 October, Special Olympics Board Members, VIPs and a U.S. presidential delegation engaged in a bit of spirited competition with 2007 World Summer Games athletes at the Special Olympics Sports Experience, a first for World Games.
The Sports Experience is a new initiative that allows guests attending World Games to experience the talents and personalities of Special Olympics athletes by providing an interactive space for guests to play athletes in seven different sports: badminton, basketball, bocce, football, golf, table tennis and tennis. The guests who participated were the first to team up with athletes prior to the Sports Experience opening on 2 October at Jiangwan Stadium and continuing through 9 October from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The venue also includes an information technology area, a main stage involving entertainment and a re-medaling ceremony every day (morning, afternoon and evening sessions) and a broadcast area featuring video highlights of competition.
In his remarks at a ceremony at the new initiative, Special Olympics CEO Timothy Shriver said, “This venue is an attempt to bring the sports experience to everybody. We don't just want spectators; we want everyone to be in touch with the abilities of Special Olympics athletes.”
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Olympic gold medalist and Special Olympics supporter Michelle Kwan shows off her table tennis skills at the unveiling of the Special Olympics Sports Experience prior to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
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One of the highlights of the Sports Experience preview was a presentation by Coca-Cola President and CEO Muhtar Kent of RMB 8 million (more than US$1 million) to the movement. The check to Special Olympics caps a year of cause-related marketing and awareness for the movement. “The messages of optimism, acceptance and inclusion championed by Special Olympics represent the same values that are important to Coca-Cola,” said Kent. “That bond has sustained our commitment as a sponsor of Special Olympics since its inception in 1968.”
Guests who tried their hands at competition worked up a sweat keeping pace in soccer matches, getting their paddles in front of speeding ping pong balls and stretching their muscles as they backhanded tennis balls. Olympic gold medal figure skater Michelle Kwan, John H. Hager, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education and U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, all members of the U.S. Presidential Delegation, and actress and Special Olympics Board Member Vanessa Williams were among those who got to go head-to-head with athletes.
“I did make one shot,” Kwan conceded. “It's really all about teamwork. The athletes were very supportive, saying, 'You can do it!' I love that energy,” she said.
While Vanessa Williams was warming up for tennis, she said, “It's fun to play with athletes, and it's always great to be competitive. It reminds me of how tough these Games are, and to excel you have to be skilled.”
Sure, Special Olympics athletes are tough competitors, but you'll find they're the best teammates too. Just ask the guests who were on their teams at the Sports Experience.
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Special Olympics Hong Kong athletes (back) Lo Kwan Ho, Wang ChoYu, (front) Lam Kar Chung and Lam Yuk Fun were thrilled to meet and compete with VIPs at the Sports Experience venue. Hong Kong took part in four sports at Sports Experience and will compete in 10 sports during World Games.
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