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Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver (left) met with Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu in Beijing on 6 September. Photo: Xinhua/Pang Xinglei |
On a visit to China to attend the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver met with Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on 6 September. Four thousand athletes with disabilities are competing in the 2008 Paralympics.
Shriver congratulated Hui on the success of the Beijing Olympic Games, and said he hoped that the Paralympics would be just as successful.
"The Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai last year and the Paralympic Games in Beijing will serve as a platform for people with disabilities from all over the world to realize their dreams,” said Hui. “The two Games will also further promote the well-being of people with a disability in China."
Hui praised Special Olympics’ efforts to expand the movement globally, and said he hoped Special Olympics would continue its efforts in China and enhance bilateral cooperation for further progress. China is now the largest Special Olympics Program, with more than 600,000 athletes
"We would like to further expand our cooperation with China to share the Special Olympics experience with more people across the country, both with and without disabilities," Shriver said.
The following day, Shriver and Special Olympics President and Chief Operating Officer J. Brady Lum visited the Shi Shahai sub-district community center for people with disabilities, known as Wen Xin or “Sweet Home.”
Shriver, Lum, Special Olympics East Asia Managing Director Anna Chan and other Special Olympics representatives toured the center and played bocce and table tennis with members of the center. They also visited the workshop, where people with disabilities create handicrafts.
Shriver said he was very impressed by the confidence and accomplishments of participants in the center. He stressed that Special Olympics International would continue to work with the Chinese government, the local Special Olympics Program and other related organizations to bring the joy of sports and the spirit of acceptance and inclusion to more people with intellectual disabilities and their communities in China. |
