China News Service, Guangzhou, March 8 (reporter Wang Zumin) the Chinese sports delegation set off from Guangzhou on the afternoon of the 8th to go to the UAE to participate in the 15th World Summer Special Olympics, ali Zahiri, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to China, made a special trip to see off the Chinese delegation.
The 15th World Summer Special Olympics will be held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, from March 14-21. This is the ninth time that China has organized a delegation to participate in the summer Special Olympics.
104 athletes from the Chinese sports delegation will participate in 10 competitions including track and field, swimming, integrated football, basketball, table tennis, weightlifting, gymnastics, roller skating, grounder, badminton, etc. Among them, the football team is a fusion team, and Special Olympics athletes and sound partners jointly form a team to participate in the competition. Most of the delegation players come from special education schools, with an average age of 19.5. Li Xiaoqi, the youngest swimmer, just turned 10.
On the morning of 8th, the Chinese Special Olympics delegation held an expedition ceremony in Guangzhou. The head of the Chinese delegation said that in this Special Olympics, Chinese players will carry forward the Special Olympics spirit of bravely trying and striving for victory, participate happily and improve their abilities; Make more friends and enhance friendship; show the development achievements of China’s Special Olympics movement and the progress of social civilization.
Ali Zahiri, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to China, said that the Chinese team is one of the best teams, and this time in the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi, it can also return with a full load. The UAE will do everything possible to make the members of this special Olympics live happily. I hope that the Chinese delegation will live a “beautiful and meaningful” day in the UAE “.
This Special Olympics has 24 major events such as track and field, swimming and basketball. It is expected that more than 7500 athletes from more than 190 delegations will participate in the competition. It is reported that many activities such as city reception plan, athlete health plan and Global Youth Leaders Summit will be held during the competition.
The World Special Olympics is a global comprehensive sports event specially held for people with intellectual disabilities. It is held every two years and alternately in winter and summer. In 1968, the first world Summer Special Olympics was held in Chicago, USA. Shanghai held the 12th event in 2007, and China became the first Asian country to host the Summer Special Olympics. This competition is the first time that the Summer Special Olympics has been held in Middle East countries for more than half a century. (Finished)