BEIJING, May 13 -- Special Olympics softball players from the Pinggu Special School Softball Team honed their skills today with players from the Beijing Softball league during a Unified Sports softball game at the Fengtai Olympic Softball Stadium. This event marked the first time softball athletes from the special school participated in a sports competition with mainstream athletes.

The Canadian Embassy of Beijing, the Canadian Alumni Network, the Canadian International School of Beijing and the Beijing Softball League joined forces to open the spring softball season by organizing six weeks of Special Olympics Unified Sports softball events.

Special Olympic athletes, officials, coaches, and volunteers all joined in the softball event.

The Canadian Community and the Beijing Softball League all came out to support Special Olympics. Other dignitaries present at the opening included Anna Chan, Managing Director of Special Olympics East Asia; Rachael Bedlington, Head of Public Affairs at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing; Richard N. Liu, Founder of the Canadian Alumni Network and Co-Commissioner of the Beijing Softball League; coaches, staff and supporters. The ambassador of Canada, Mr. Robert Wright, threw the first pitch of the game.

The 15 Special Olympics athletes were absolutely thrilled to participate in a sports event held at an Olympic venue.

"Some of our athletes got up at five o'clock in the morning," said Richard Liu. "Chances for them to exchange skills with players from other teams are actually very rare. Their eyes were filled with joy and were shining all day."

During the game, Beijing Softball League athletes taught Special Olympics athletes how to stand in the correct position and how to throw an accurate pitch. A 15-year-old SO athlete gained his teammates' cheers and congratulations each time he threw a perfect pitch.

A Special Olympics athlete lines up for a pitch.

"He totally surprised me," said the Special Olympics athlete's partner. "He learned so quickly."

Unified Sports Partners also demonstrated to Special Olympics athletes how to gently place the softball bats on the ground after a hit so that other players would not get hurt.

The Pinggu Softball Team, the only Special Olympics softball team in Beijing, was founded about a year ago.

A student from the Pinggu Special School and a volunteer share a happy moment together.

"Given their wonderful performance, it's hard to believe that they have only been practicing softball for one year," said a player from the Beijing Softball League. "I am so happy they are going to represent Beijing in the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai this October."

The Canadian Community in China is supporting the Special Olympics by holding a number of sporting events this year. Special Olympics athletes participated in a swimming clinic in April and will take part in a golf clinic in June.