Introduction
In July 2006, my friend, Vice CEO of Phoenix TV Station, Wang Jiyan called me to lead some photographers in Phoenix to photograph
athletes in Forth National Special Olympic Game in Haerbin to prepare an
album about 2007 World Special Olympics. In this situation, I went to the Special Olympics and I had the opportunity to work with the
athletes and felt another life attitude which moved me and encouraged me.
A brief introduction to Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international program of sports training and athletics games for more than a million of persons mentally disabled.
The mission of this organization is to promote the
Olympic sports training and practice for persons who are mentally disabled, giving them continuous opportunities of psychic and physic development, encouraging them to demonstrate courage, capacity and always motivating them to be happy together with their families, their friends and the whole community.
In the world, 160 countries have adopted the Special Olympics program.
Special Olympics is officially born in 1968, in occasion of the first International Games held in Chicago, Illinois.
Special Olympics has been founded by Eunice Kennedy, in 1960 she organized a sports and games day exclusively for disabled people.
Mrs. Kennedy felt that these guys were more able in physical activities than experts thought.
?The Special Olympics
athletes oath is: Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.
The Special Olympics scope is to give, to persons with a mental deficiency, the possibility to become social useful inhabitant and then accepted, appreciated and respected by the whole community.
Special Olympics believes that competition between persons that have the same abilities is the best way to test their own athletics capabilities, their progress and to aim to grown.
Special Olympics spirit leaves beyond, as disability does, all races, nationalities, geographical limits, ages or religions.
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