SO Athlete Judy Yang Shared Her Understanding of Championship

On August 4, 2008, four days before Beijing Olympic Games, the What Makes a Champion?™ Forum, one of the most important cultural events for the Beijing Olympic Games, was held at the Centennial Hall of Peking University. The two-day forum, opened by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, invites celebrities in culture and sports to talk about what it takes to be a champion. Distinguished guests included Juan Antonio Samaranch, former President of the International Olympic Committee, Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State of the United States, Jackie Chan, famous film star and ambassador of Beijing Olympic Games, acclaimed composer Tan Dun and pianist Li Yundi, as well as several famous sports champions including Liu Wei, winner of seven table tennis world championships. Special Olympics athlete Judy Yang was invited to the forum as one of the "champions" among people with intellectual disabilities.

Honorary IOC President for Life Juan Antonio Samaranch congratulates on China’s success

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger shares his idea of championship at the forum

Judy attended as a panelist one of the sub-forums titled "Everybody Can Become a Champion". She shared with fellow panelists and the audience her own story and how the spirit of Special Olympics has changed her perception about life and about intellectual disabilities. She said although people with intellectual disabilities face more challenges in their life, they also have dreams and their unique ideas. Now she has not been feared or ashamed to tell others that she is one with intellectual disabilities. And she is even proud to say that she is a Special Olympics athlete.

SO athlete Judy Yang with other guests in the forum

SO athlete Judy Yang was giving a speech

What Makes a Champion?™ forum was initiated by Professor Alan Snyder from the Center for the Mind of the University of Sydney in 2000, just before the opening of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. The forum aims at exploring the keys to success so as to promote the self-fashioning and growth of the youth. The International Olympic Committee has decided to incorporate the forum in future Olympic Games as an official cultural event.