BEIJING, December 16 -- Despite the chill in the morning air, the Yifu Stadium at the Central University for Nationalities (CUN) in Beijing was full of warmth and laughter on Sunday. Around 25 staff members from the Beijing UBS Group and their family members joined hands with 20 Special Olympics athletes from the Chaoyang Anhua Special School and 40 university student volunteers to participate in the “Special Olympics University Day.”

The half-day on-campus event, sponsored by UBS Group, opened with an orientation about Special Olympics and the projects the organization has launched for people with intellectual disabilities. The introduction helped UBS staff members gain a better understanding of the Special Olympics mission and the incredible impact it has had upon people with intellectual disabilities.

After the orientation, the event was officially opened with a brief ceremony. Mr. Yu Jiting, Deputy General Manager of UBS Securities gave an important speech, stressing UBS’ commitment to being a socially responsible corporate citizen and the corporation’s willingness to contribute to the local communities in which it operates.

Mr. Yu Jiting speaks at the opening

“We are under the same blue sky,” Mr. Yu told an enthusiastic crowd. “I believe we, with or without intellectual disabilities, all deserve to enjoy the same success and joy in life.”
 
Mr. Long Jianyou, headmaster of the Anhua Special School thanked Special Olympics, UBS and the university for giving his students a chance to participate in the significant event. “My students are the happiest people in this stadium,” said Long. “They can see and feel the care and love from these big brothers and sisters from the university and UBS.”

Finally, Ms. Anna Chan, Managing Director of Special Olympics East Asia, also spoke, expressing her excitement to participate in the University Day event.

“There are over 2000 Special Olympics activities around the world every day,” said Chan, “and I am really glad that today I am in one of them. We deeply appreciate the support from sponsors and volunteers. Without your support and participation, we would not be able to develop and provide services to our athletes.”

At the end of the opening ceremony, Mr. Park Pu, Managing Director and Assistant Chairman of UBS China, held the hand of a Special Olympics athlete high into the air and announced the start of the day’s sports activities. The UBS staff members were then divided into five groups and placed with Special Olympics athletes from the Anhua Special School and student volunteers from CUN to participate in golf and bocce training sessions and mini-competitions. At the conclusion of these matches, an exciting gift presentation session was held, with UBS volunteers presenting gifts to Special Olympics athletes and university volunteers.

Mr. Park Pu with a SO athlete

Mr. Simon Jin accepts a gift from Mr. Long Jianyou

After the sports session, students from CUN performed a folk dancing in traditional costume, before all participants signed their names on a banner as a message to create a more accepting and inclusive society of people with intellectual disabilities.

The University Day event is part of the Model University Project launched by Special Olympics East Asia and Special Olympics China—a long-term endeavor involving university students and teachers from around China. The project targets students and teachers specializing in Physical Education, Special Education and Mainstream Education by providing training events and promoting a curriculum about Special Olympics. As future coaches, volunteers and leaders for the Special Olympics movement, these trainees return to their respective universities and organize competitions, conduct research projects, and host special events for Special Olympics athletes and their families. Currently, nearly 100 Special Olympics Day events have been held in universities around China.

UBS staff plays golf with SO athletes

UBS has been a major sponsor for the Special Olympics Model University Project for the past several years. It has also sponsored the Special Olympics Adopt-A-School program by supporting the Xi’cheng Special School and Chaoyang An’hua Special School in Beijing.

About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to 2.5 million adults and children with intellectual disabilities across 160 plus countries. The Special Olympics movement offers one of the world's greatest platforms for acceptance and inclusion for all people - regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences. Find out how you can become involved at http://www.specialolympics.org.

Group photo