Airports in Shanghai have formally opened a green channel for the Special Olympic Games.
Pudong Airport has named the special channel its "Channel of Love" and Hongqiao Airport's area is called "Gentle and Fragrant Channel". Both airports arrange special personnel to accompany and assist athletes passing through the green channels. They have arranged special settings at the check-in counters and security check channel to ensure that the athletes can undergo the procedures faster and more conveniently.
The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Shanghai from October 2-11 2007. The event will mark the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time they will be held outside the United States. In addition to almost 7,500 athletes, Special Olympics expects the 2007 World Summer Games to draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every continent.
Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in 25 different Olympic-type and demonstration sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cricket, Cycling, Dragon Boat Racing, Equestrian, Football (Soccer), Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Kayaking, Lion Dancing, Powerlifting, Roller Skating, Sailing, Softball, Table Tennis, Team Handball, Tennis and Volleyball, as well as Motor Activities Training Program. Special Olympics athletes not competing in the World Games will play crucial leadership roles off the sports field as officials, assistant coaches, reporters and spokespeople.
