As the 2008 Chinese Invitational Games for special Olympic sports concluded in the northeastern Chinese city of Changchun on Sunday, China determines to raise the number of athletes with intellectual disabilities to 1 million by 2010.

The Changchun Games featured speed skating, figure skating, floor hockey, skiing and snowshoeing.

Wang Zhijun, chairman of Special Olympics China (SOC), said that the Special Olympics could improve the athlete's physical function and IQ, and help them join in social activities and live a happier life.

Fan Hong, another leading official with SOC, told Xinhua that in recent years China has made great efforts to expand the number of participants in the Special Olympics.

According to Fan, China's special Olympic history could date back to the 1960s. In 1985, China started to popularize the Special Olympics and has taken part in both summer and winter Special Olympics since 1987.

"Up to now, China has held four countrywide Special Olympic Games and there are more than 730,000 active athletes with intellectual disabilities," Fan said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2008)