Special Olympics 'Special Spirit in China Award Of Excellence' Presented to Dedicated Friends of Special Olympics and City of Shanghai

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A F SPECIAL OLYMPICS LOGO SPECIAL OLYMPICS LOGO Special Olympics Logo. (PRNewsFoto)[KG] BEIJING, CHINA 03/02/2004

    SHANGHAI, China, Oct. 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- In a star-studded event
 at the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, Special Olympics honored twelve
 extraordinary individuals and the city of Shanghai for the "special"
 contributions they have made and continue to make to promote and raise
 awareness of the understanding and acceptance of people with intellectual
 disabilities, and the Special Olympics movement around the world. Guests
 included Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Timothy Shriver, Maria Shriver, Quincy
 Jones, Colin Farrell, Bianca Jagger, Donna deVerona and Special Olympics
 International Global Messengers with performances by Vanessa L. Williams,
 Lang Lang, Sun Rue and Yang Chen.
     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040302/LNTU017LOGO )
     "All of the 'Special Spirit in China Award of Excellence' honorees have
 been longtime fans of the Special Olympics movement. They've dedicated
 their lives to enhance our efforts and educate the world about the
 accomplishments of individuals with intellectual disabilities," said
 Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver.
     Special Spirit in China Awards of Excellence were presented to:
     -- Nelson Mandela for his "special lifetime global leadership in
        promoting human dignity"
     -- Deng Pufang for his "special leadership in promoting understanding
        and acceptance through sport"
     -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for "his special
        leadership in raising the profile and awareness for Special Olympics
        worldwide"
     -- Vanessa Williams for her "special artistry and commitment in the
        support of Special Olympics worldwide"
     -- Nadia Comanici and Yao Ming for their "special international
        contributions to the glory of sport"
     -- Special Olympics athlete Stacey Johnston for her "special
        inspiration and leadership among athletes of all nations"
     -- Drs. Paul Berman and Stephen Pearlman for their "special
        contributions to the health and well being of people with
        intellectual disabilities."
     -- The city of Shanghai for its "special hospitality, grace and
        friendship in hosting the 2007 World Summer Games"
     -- Ray and Stephanie Lane for their "special support and encouragement
        of the global Special Olympics movement"
     -- Air Marshall Denzil Joseph Keelor for his "special efforts
        enhancing the Special Olympics movement in India"
     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 165
 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. Corporate sponsors of Special
 Olympics include: adidas, Bank of America, The Coca-Cola Company, DHL,
 Mattel, Inc. and Mattel Children's Foundation, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
 Worldwide. Find out how you can become involved at
 http://www.specialolympics.org.
 
 

SOURCE Special Olympics