Pirie Grossman, Co-Chairman of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, said the real inclusion of the people with intellectual disabilities will be in sight although there are a lot of work needs to be done.
"My sister-in-law is an athlete, she is 39 years old and involved in the Special Olympics for 30 years, and it helps her so much and makes her know she can accomplish something," said Pirie, who is on a visit to the Shanghai Special Olympics.
The 2009 Special Olympics Winter Games will be held at Boise, the state of Idaho of the United States from 6-13 February.
The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in the state of Idaho.
"I have to say that many people with intellectual disabilities in Idaho and the United States still feel humiliated, and their family members feel different, so the Special Olympics give them the opportunity and a program which get them and their families into something they can receive help. The Special Olympics is the answer."
"There were 50,000 athletes in China five years ago, and now you have more than half a million. The impact is pretty huge and the movement is fast growing."
She believed that with thousands of volunteers, coaches, family members and supporters joining the athletes, the Special Olympics promises to be a truly unique opportunity for the world to witness how the universal language of sport can show the very best of the human spirit and all that it encompasses.
"The organizers and volunteers showed the dedication during the Summer Games, and I want to ask them a question, how different are they today from when they first started five years ago? What have changed in their lives because of the athletes and and events?" said Pirie, arguing that the Special Olympics is interactive to help beget mutual respect.
"The people who are working as volunteers, they get more out of it. They get touched by the athletes in heart.
"Maybe now they will stop when they use the words like 'idiot' or 'retard'. They start to have passion in their heart and give them a hug."
Source: Xinhua
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