Spectacular Closing Ceremony Caps 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games The Special Olympics flag is handed over from the 2007 World Games Organizing Committee to Jim Grossman, Chairman of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, to be held in Boise, Idaho (USA). The Closing Ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games was a spectacular event, celebrating the 11 days of sports, friendship and spirit with Special Olympics athletes, families, coaches, volunteers and other supporters, coming together one last time to officially close the Games. The 80-minute, world-class entertainment event, held at Jiangwan Stadium, featured renowned Spanish tenor Jose Carreras and performances by Italian soprano Maria Lucia, Danish pop band Michael Learns to Rock, American saxophone player Kenny G and Shanghai baritone Liao Changyong. With the theme "Sunshine and Life," the Closing Ceremony offered a farewell party packed with displays by performers with intellectual disabilities and other guests from 164 nations. Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver thanked the people of China for a spectacular World Games. "You not only gave us a great week, but you also gave us back our hope. To all the people of this nation and to all the leaders of the City of Shanghai: thank you for giving us the time of our lives." "If the Opening Ceremony started like a dream, then let´s fulfill it at the close," said Teng Junjie, the director general of the Closing Ceremony Committee. "We will write a full stop for the Games, and add an exclamation mark." Fireworks lit the Shanghai sky on 11 October as almost 7,500 Special Olympics athletes celebrated the culmination of the 2007 World Summer Games. The Closing Ceremony was divided into three chapters titled "Connection of Hearts," "Happy You and Me" and "Linger in Eternity," as well as a closing part called Sunshine Family. The sunshine theme ran through the event as it corresponds to the Sunshine Homes set up across Shanghai to care for and offer vocational training to people with intellectual disabilities. "Whether you are disabled or not, you can lead a happy life and contribute to a civilized and inclusive society," Teng said. "The Opening Ceremony focused on telling the story of cultures coming together. The Closing Ceremony was about bidding farewell and departing, as well as the friends we´ve made." After more than a week of competition, it was time for celebration at the Closing Ceremony of the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai. Shriver closed by exhorting the audience to take the spirit of the World Games with them and to help spread that spirit around the world. "Tomorrow is our next beginning. We must make each of our towns a host town everyday, every school, every business, every doctor´s office, every neighborhood unified everyday. We must build a world of unified sports joy everyday and make all the world into fans of the differently abled heroes of Special Olympics! The time is now. We have seen the power, now we must spread the message."

  Print this page China Golfer Shoots Hole in One 6 October 2007 Word of the ace spread like wildfire through the fairways at the Shanghai Tianma Country Golf Course at the 2007 World Summer Games. Special Olympics China athlete Haijuan Shao, 30, shot a hole-in-one, every golfer´s dream, on the 3-par, 18th hole. Special Olympics athlete Haijuan Shao shoots hole in one at the World Summer Games in Shanghai “I thought it was my lucky day,” said Haijuan Shao, who has been playing golf for just one year. “I played as usual and didn´t think about it. It came as a great surprise to me and the entire Chinese golf team!” The entire Special Olympics China team is wearing pink shirts because, in China, pink signifies good luck. Today, it was Haijuan Shao´s skill that was on display with what may well be the best shot of the tournament, and certainly the rarest. But, don´t expect them to give up their lucky pink shirts any time soon. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See what´s new at AOL.com and Make AOL

 Shanghai--The effects of Typhoon Krosa that hit the southeastern part of China were felt today as rain curtailed outside events at the 2007 World Games. The games have been a huge success with over 7000 athletes from 167 countires, 40,000 volunteers and 2 to 3 million spectators enjoying the festivities. Meanwhile praise for the 3 hour Opening Ceremony continues to pour in from officials and media around the world. Ossie Kilkenny, an SOI board member compared it with the ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. He said, it demonstrated Chines culture with simplicity and dignity." The Closing Ceremony will be star studded also. It will be only 80 minutes long but will feature Spanish Tenor Jose Carreras of "Three Tenors" and a cast of Chinese and International performers. The line up includes Italian soprano Maria Lucia, Danish pop band Michael Learns to rock, American saxophone player Kenny G, and Shanghai baritone Liao Changyong. More than 4000 performers form all over China will also take part. The ceremony will take place at 70 year old Jiangwan Stadium and will be divided into 5 parts with the theme "Sunshine, Life." The volunteers and spectators have enjoyed a surreal experience at the first World Games held in Asia. One quoted Winston Churchill and said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Congratulations to all who made it a grand success! Kind Regards. "Inspiring Greatness"--Team Mc Colgan-MJ, Linda and Mike

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  Opening Ceremony Reflects the Heart and Spirit of China The long-awaited Opening Ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games exploded with the heart-thumping rumble of hundreds of traditional Chinese drums, the blaze of fireworks and colorful, exquisite costumes resplendent of the country´s ancient culture, emphasizing the first words of the evening, "Humanity´s hearts beat as one." Opening Ceremonies was a spectacular event, capturing the culture of China and the spirit of harmony around the world. More than 55,000 people and 7,300 athletes attended. The 80,000-seat Shanghai Stadium was filled to capacity. Elated spectators added to the visual splendor, each with a twinkling hand-held light, which amplified the awe and radiance of the pageantry. And the arrival of China´s President Hu Jintao elevated the prestige and majesty of the evening. The Parade of Athletes, 7,300 strong, from 165 countries, was welcomed with tumultuous cheers and applause. Renowned Grammy and Oscar Award winner Tan Dun, best know as composer for the soundtracks of the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, composed and conducted the orchestra for the Parade. And Grammy Award winning Quincy Jones composed the Games theme song, "I Know I Can." International film star Colin Farrell introduced the Opening Ceremony themes of courage, sharing, skill and joy, all echoed in the performances of the action-packed three-hour Ceremony. Performances by internationally renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road ensemble, and Chinese pianist Lang Lang energized the crowd. Film star Jackie Chan brought his trademark flamboyance to Opening Ceremonies as well. China´s Yao Ming, who plays basketball for the Houston Rockets, and the U.S. Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, both wildly popular on the international scene, received a boisterous welcome as they walked with athletes during the Parade and spoke to athletes. Yao Ming missed the start of the basketball season to attend the Ceremony. "It´s worth it. Nothing is more important than doing things for Special Olympics," he said. Schwarzenegger told athletes, "I used to play in movies as the action hero, but that was nothing compared with the real action taking place in this stadium." China´s President Hu Jintao set the tone for the World Games and its legacy when he spoke. "China hopes the Games will help the world better understand China and contribute to the development of Special Olympics around the world and in China." China has more than 9 million people with intellectual disabilities. Spectators were dazzled by vivid colors and expert choreography at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2007 Special Olympics Summer World Games. Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver addressed the assembly, saying, "I thank you Shanghai on behalf of over 2 million athletes and over 200 million potential athletes still waiting for a chance," he said. "Athletes it is you who have given the world far more than the world has given back. You have shown how to fight for a chance, how to train against the odds, how to persevere in the face of indifference, how to do one´s best without inhibition, how to win," declared Shriver. "So athletes: go for the gold. Show off your skill! Leave it all on the field of play. Go to your competition and teach your message of courage, of dignity; and most importantly, of boundless fun. You are the new celebrities of the 21st Century, and we are your fans. We pledge with you to create a legacy worthy of you. Tell everyone all over the world: "YES, YES, YES I CAN!" A member of Special Olympics China´s delegation lit the World Games cauldron, which capped a 22,000-mile, five-continent global Law Enforcement Torch Run, spreading the message of Special Olympics around the world and heralding the start of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, the largest in the movement´s history.