In March 2002, at China's Third National Special Olympics, Xu was invited to participate in a youth summit, while his mother was invited to the family forum to share her experience in training her child for the Special Olympics. In 2003, at the recommendation of his school, Xu participated in the East Asia Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Training Program and was chosen as one of the global Special Olympics Athlete Leaders.

The meaning of leadership

When asked the meaning of "leader" by his mother, Xu replied, "to be better."

In June 2002, at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Xu was one of the nine torchbearers in the world, and as a player he helped China's soccer team win the silver medal.

The daily training and preparation for the Special Olympics have refined Xu's character. The arduous and boring daily training has become part of Xu's life. Although he cannot define "perseverance," his actions explain this word even more persuasively. While his sports results were not the best, his determination and optimism made him the most persuasive Special Olympics Global Messenger in 2004. Xu is also the youngest of the 12 Special Olympics Global Messengers.

In that post, he is required to give speeches on various occasions. Before the selection of Special Olympics Athlete Leaders, the candidates were given training in public speaking. Xu mastered the basic skills and won the hearts of the judges with his confidence.

One of Xu's speaking coaches, Ye Mao, said, "Xu Chuang's memory is poor, which means he has to repeat it 50 times to memorize a speech script of 1,000 characters. He faced more difficulties than his peers." But, after receiving training for three years, Xu's speech skills have matured. "Now I only have to master the general ideas of the script and mainly rely on improvisation during the speech," he said.

On July 10, Xu and his mother were invited to attend the White House to the 85th birthday party for Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver hosted by President George W. Bush and his wife. Xu brought Shriver a gift of an overcoat printed with the number 2,256,733, the number of Special Olympics athletes around the world.

Bao said, "The Special Olympics have given hope to people with intellectual disabilities and helped my son to find the axis of life, impetus for his growth, health in body and mind, confidence and bravery."

She said she hopes her son can pass on the fortitude and optimism of Special Olympics athletes to everyone. "I hope he can carry the message that children with intellectual disabilities can also be welcome in society as long as they can be brave and face up to difficulties and setbacks."

Engaging with society

"I believe the Special Olympics have given attention and help to the most disadvantaged group and highlighted the spiritual force and humanitarian care," said Deng Pufang, Chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation.

Deng is the elder son of the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), Deng Pufang suffered persecution and was left paralyzed from the waist down. In 1983, he embarked on a program for the welfare and humanitarian care of China's disabled people.

"It is difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to be accepted by society. They have to overcome the barriers of an unfavorable social environment as well as their own limits," he said. "Yet the improvement of the social environment to one with no prejudice or mockery requires the efforts of the whole society. The Special Olympics has brought courage and confidence to people with intellectual disabilities to become active members of society."

Of China's huge population of 1.3 billion, over 13 million suffer from intellectual disabilities. For a long time, children with intellectual disabilities were confined to home and had minimal contact with society.

China's Special Olympics movement was initiated by a visit of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her husband to China in 1985. That year saw the founding of the Special Olympics China. So far, China has hosted four National Special Olympics. Shanghai hosted the first Asia-Pacific Special Olympics in 1996. Since 1987, China has sent delegations to every summer and winter games of the Special Olympics.

In May 2000, a Special Olympics publicity campaign was carried out in Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai. That year saw the number of China's Special Olympics participants increase from 5,000 to 76,000. The number has now surpassed 500,000.

More and more people with intellectual disabilities have begun to take part in society and be understood by more people. They can feel the traditional stigma and prejudice attached to disability.

The Chinese Government has continued to expand financial support for the Special Olympics. In recent years, with the support of the International Special Olympics, China has organized dozens of national Special Olympics training programs, which trained thousands of coaches, administrative staff, parents and volunteers from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

Growth through sports

Ren Weiping, a 29-year-old from Shanghai, suffered a head injury at birth and thus became intellectually disabled. However, he is quite athletic and likes running. Even while sitting on a sofa at home, he likes to turn on the TV to the sports channel. How to bring Ren's sports talent into full play puzzled his parents as well as himself for a long time.