| A striking measure took place in Shanghai in TWO THOUSAND SEVEN. There were Shanghai Special World Summer Games in TWO THOUSAND SEVEN for people who are mentally retarded.
That measure took place in Asia for the first time and it was only secondly it took place out of the borders of the United States of America. It was set by the Special Olympics.
Many masses from all the continents arrived in Shanghai to enter or only to look at the competitions. 7, 500 special participants took part in Special Olympic World Summer Games, together with the best of the 2.5 mln athletes who competed in 165 countries to participate in the games. They became a persuasive proof of the fact that Special Olympics is for those individuals who were capable to overcome their disabilities. Lots of officials, families, volunteers, spectators and journalists decided to visit this competition.
All those who participated were classified into SIX groups according to their impairment types:
1. Amputee: Sportsmen with a partial or total loss.
2. Cerebral Palsy: Participants with non-progressive mentality harm or similar diseases influencing muscle control or coordination.
3. Mental Impairment: Participants with a significant impairment in mental operation and associated limitations in adaptive behavior.
4. Wheelchair: Participants with spinal cord injuries and other illnesses which require them to be in a wheelchair.
5. Sand-blind: Athletes with sight disability ranging from partial sight to total cecity.
6. Les Autres: Athletes with a physical disability that cannot be found right under one of the other 5 categories (the title for this category is the French for "the others").
Special Olympics athletes of types competed in TWENTY FIVE diverse sports: aquatics, athletics, badminton, hoops, bocce, bowling, cricket, cycling, dragon boat racing, equestrian, soccer, golf, gymnastics, judo, kayaking, lion dancing, power-lifting, roller, skating, sailing, softball, ping-pong, team handball, tennis, volleyball, motor activities.
You may discover extra facts on the site 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games
And more information on this theme is also presented following the link: 2007 Special Olympic Games |
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