www.2007specialolympics.com, the new version of the official website for the Special Olympics, was launched over the weekend in Shanghai, providing basic information of the event.

It's part of the Shanghai municipal government's efforts to raise public awareness of the Special Olympics movement with a view to eliminate discrimination of the intellectually disabled people and facilitate their integration into society.

With about 150 days to go, more than 10,000 special athletes and their coaches, 3,500 event officials and thousands of athletes' family members, friends, spectators and journalists from all corners of the world are expected to start trickling into Shanghai for the Special Olympics, which is being held in Asia for the first time.

To better serve the needs of the general public, including the intellectually disabled, for information on Shanghai and the Special Olympics, the Games steering committee updated the original official website along with Shanghai Telecom.

The website, now both in Chinese and English, consists of six channels: News Flash; Competition; Non-sports Events; Information Service: About Special Olympics; and Participation & Support.

A photo gallery on the website carries hundreds of pictures related to the unique event, volunteerism, social support and other aspects of the Special Olympics as well as work by young special athletes, giving browsers a vivid impression of the movement in China.

"The spirit of the Special Olympics draws people's attention to the disadvantaged group and offers a gateway to enable them to integrate into society, enjoy the normal life of ordinary people as well as use the rights they deserve," Wang Guoqing, vice-minister of the State Council Information Office, said after launching the website.

(China Daily April 30, 2007)