In celebration of the 41st Anniversary of Special Olympics and the 3rd National Special Olympics Day, Special Olympics China had called on its sub-Programs to organize Special Olympics activities around July 20th, 2009 with a common theme “Mass Sports Go with Special Olympics”.

Hundreds of SO activities ranging from large SO competitions to mini-games and exhibitions in local community centers were organized across the whole nation during the week before and on July 20th . Almost two years’ after the 2007 Shanghai SO World Summer Games, these mass grass-root celebrations greatly enhanced public awareness on Special Olympics and its over 870,000 athletes in China.

Highlights of the celebrations include: Major event organized in capital city Beijing on July 20th by Beijing Disabled Persons’ Federation, with participation of over 200 SO athletes, coaches, family members and volunteers. Mini games on football, basketball and bocce were organized as well as a FSN Forum; All the 19 districts of Shanghai city organized celebrative activities for the 3rd SO Day and SO Day Events in other Provinces across China.

SO Football Competition in capital city Beijing on July 20th (by official Xinhua net)

Shanghai Nanxiang Town SO Day activities

Table tennis competition in Zhejiang Province

Football skill demonstration in Harbin

SO Bicycle obstacle race in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia

SO Orientation in the community in Nanning, capital city of Guangxi Province

Group photo of the Summer Camp in Luoyang, Henan Province

Bicycle skill demonstration in Wuhan, Hubei province