Special Olympics International held news conferences (新闻发布会) in both Shanghai and Washington D.C. on May 24th, 2002 to announce ( 宣布) that Shanghai would host the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. This is the first time for Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Asia and in a developing country. Over ten thousand Special Olympics athletes and coaches (运动员、教练员), over twenty thousand family members of athletes, experts, scholars(专家学者) and distinguished guests (嘉宾), as well as forty thousand volunteers from more than one hundred and seventy countries and regions will attend this grand event. There will be 21 competitive events, including bowling, outdoor bowls, sailboat, golf, weightlifting, basketball, equitation, volleyball, table tennis, handball, aquatic sports, gymnastics, track and field, tennis, badminton, cycling, canoeing, judo, ice skating, soccer and baseball. There will be also four demonstration (表演) events, including dragon & lion dance, dragon boat race, cricket and Motor Activities Training Program (机能运动MATP). Non-sports events include the Law Enforcement Torch Run (执法人员火炬跑), Host Town Program, Healthy Athletes Program, Parent Forum (家长论坛), Youth Summit (青少年峰会) and School Education Program etc. |