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UPDATED: September-11-2008 NO.45 NOV.9, 2006
I Know I Can
The Special Olympics in Shanghai next year can help more people with intellectual disabilities learn to cope with the challenges of life
By TANG YUANKAI
On October 14, Xu Chuang said more in one day than he had in an entire week three years ago. During the Invitational Games held in preparation for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai next October, Xu, 19, made a speech at the opening ceremony of a heads-of-delegation seminar, as a Special Olympics Global Messenger, a Special Olympics Athlete Leader and an athlete from the host city. His message drew generous applause.

The Special Olympics, organized for those with intellectual disabilities, selects athletes who help to spread the message and vision of the movement as well as the benefits they have gained by participating as global messengers or athlete leaders.

"I am intellectually disabled and used to be very shy. I did not want to speak much. I wouldn't even answer you once after being asked 10 questions," said Xu. "Thanks to the Special Olympics, I have become talkative and the Special Olympics has brought positive changes in my life so that my family no longer feels sad for me. Instead, they are proud of me."

Xu is proud of his hometown, Shanghai, which has won the bid for hosting the Special Olympics, making China the first Asian country to host this event.

"I Know I Can," the slogan for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, is the phrase Xu used the most, and he explained its significance. "During the races, we athletes say the slogan to each other. Outside of the sports field, we say this slogan to everyone, which expresses our wishes for equality, participation, integration and happiness. Those caring for intellectually disabled people say this to each other to reconfirm their support for this cause."

Xu recalled that Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics in 1968, used to tell the Special Olympics athletes that all of them were winners. She told the players that they could proudly say, "I can."

The Special Olympics follows the traditional Olympic Games in terms of the design of the events, but has different eligibility requirements for the athletes. They must be at least eight years of age and have an IQ below 70. If the goal of the Olympics is to challenge mankind's limits in pursuing "faster, higher and stronger," the Special Olympics is designed for every participant to push his or her own limits.

By organizing a series of events outside the sports arena, such as family forums and global youth summits, the global campaign of the Special Olympics aims to highlight humanity toward intellectually disabled people, and enhance their ability to communicate, self-esteem and self-confidence.

Because of its values and goals, the Special Olympics movement is gaining increasing attention and respect globally.

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