Communities and families throughout the city opened their homes
and hearts on Friday to participants of the Special Olympics
Invitational Games with warmth that amazed Bruce Pasternack,
president and CEO of the Special Olympics International.
More than 30 athletes and eight coaches from the Russian
delegation received a warm reception and interacted with local
residents at the Caohejing Recreational Centre in Xuhui District.
The pre-games are designed to help competitors with developmental
disabilities understand Chinese culture and acclimate to living in
a foreign country.
"Our athletes from Russia feel at home here in Shanghai,"
Pasternack said.
"What we are trying to do is to bring athletes from all over the
world to China, and let them showcase their ability and what they
can do well and have them all make friends no matter what culture
they are from," he added.
Since Wednesday, 400 participants from 19 delegations from
countries including Russia, the United States and South Korea have
arrived in the city for the 2006 Special Olympics Shanghai
Invitational Games.
The 2006 Special Olympic Shanghai Invitational Games, which
attracted more than 4,000 volunteers, is a pre-game warm-up for the
2007 Special Olympics Games in Shanghai.
The community reception is just the beginning of the Games'
events, leading up to 21 competitions to be held between October 16
and 18. "This host town programme is wonderful for the athletes to
come in and to learn about culture in China and to become friends
with people in local communities of Shanghai," said Kirk Miles, a
director of the Special Olympics International.
"To this point, I can say it has been absolutely marvelous," he
said, adding that the reception put together by the organizing
committee in Shanghai makes delegations' visits wonderful
experiences.
The warmth and hospitality of Shanghai people impressed Valery
Antonov, team leader of the Russian delegation.
"Shanghai is very big and her people are so welcoming and nice,"
Antonov said during his maiden trip to China.
"The great event helps the special group of people understand
and cherish each other regardless of their national, physical and
mental status," he added.
He said the competition and medals are not very important for
his athletes. "If they win, excellent. But if they lose they are
still winners because they have overcome their own problems to be
here," he said.
(China Daily October 14, 2006)