NBA Superstar Yao Ming Officially Welcomed to the Movement  

[Shanghai, China, June 11, 2004] - International icon and basketball star Yao Ming was welcomed today to the Special Olympics family as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador. As a Global Ambassador, Yao will be charged with taking Special Olympics' message of inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities to a worldwide audience, in addition to working directly with Special Olympics athletes in a variety of contexts.

At the Four Seasons Yao announced, "This is an exciting time to support the Special Olympics Movement. Globally, this Movement is making incredible changes in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and transforming communities around the world. In 2007, my hometown of Shanghai , China , will host the Special Olympics World Summer Games, bringing together the world in celebration of acceptance." Yao, along with Reebok, has committed to giving a sizable donation to Special Olympics as an additional example of his commitment to the Movement.

As a Global Ambassador, Yao joins a select list of international supporters including California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, legend Muhammad Ali, Olympians Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner and performers Bono, Vanessa Williams and Jon Bon Jovi. In this role, Yao will work directly with Special Olympics athletes throughout the world, holding clinics and meetings where the athletes will be able to work on a personal level with one of the National Basketball Association's most prominent figures. Yao also will help lead Special Olympics toward achieving its vision of changing attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities.

Known throughout the world as an elite athlete, Yao 's especially strong standing in his native China makes him extremely well-suited to increase Special Olympics' visibility and reach in a country where an estimated 34 million people currently have some form of intellectual disability. His introduction as a Global Ambassador is the latest component of Special Olympics' push to enroll 500,000 new athletes in Programs throughout China .

"Supporting Special Olympics means you support changing the world," said Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Timothy Shriver . "Yao Ming's commitment to the Movement is not only a challenge to the world to think differently about people with intellectual disabilities, but also a declaration of hope to a population that has too often been unrecognized. I welcome him to the Special Olympics family."

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for more than 1.3 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org .