Chinese Win Eight More Gold Medals at Special Olympics

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, June 28, 2003

Chinese Win Eight More Gold Medals at Special Olympics

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The Chinese team claimed eight more gold medals in unified basketball, table tennis, track and field, tennis and roller-skating on Friday, the seventh day of the nine-day 2003 Special Olympic World Games.

The Chinese team's gold medal tally therefore rose to ten, from only two during the first six days, together with four silver and two bronze medals so far.

The event drew some 7000 athletes with learning disabilities from 166 countries and regions.

Among Friday's Chinese winners in competitions mainly staged inthe Irish capital were Xi Yong and Pang Kai in mixed doubles tabletennis, Jue Jinye and Ding Jianming in men's tennis, Ding Wenming in men's 100 meters of age group 12-21, the ten-member unified basketball team and roller skaters Lin Lin and Jia Yuchan.

In a the unified basketball tournament, three special Olympics athletes and two general athletes joined hands for the game, whichrequires good mutual understanding, consideration and teamwork.

"Through the unified training and competition, now all the athletes in this team have become intimate friends and take care of each other very well. The general athletes created quite a lotof chances for teammates for scoring during the final," said Wang Yanning, coach of the Chinese team and a native of the northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang.

"Thanks to Special Olympics, I have built up my confidence," said a delighted Xi Yong. The 29-year-old from Shanghai won a medal in table tennis on Wednesday and another two on Friday to become the Chinese team's most decorated member.

In Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, Chinese roller skaters won two gold medals and one sliver on Friday.

Liu Jia, a 16-year-old from Heilongjiang provincial capital Harbin, scored what her coach Yao Nan described as an "upset" victory in the women's 1,000 meters event.

Liu tumbled just seconds after the start of the final. But shesoon returned to her foot and managed to catch up with and surpassothers for the success, according to Yao.

Organizers have made it clear that athletes are there for win, but added: "They're OK if they don't. At least they'll be brave in the attempt."

Athletes from Hong Kong, Macao and Chinese Taipei are also doing well. Athletes of Hong Kong, China have won 30 gold, 10 silver and five bronze medals by Friday. Macao, China have grabbed 11 golds, five silvers and four bronzes while Chinese Taipei have netted four golds, one silver and five bronzes.

"Watching each of these athletes compete may leave many of us feeling personally humbled by their courage, and of course, their sheer enjoyment in using the skills which they have learned and developed," Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said during an earlier visit to the Games. Ahern visited competition venues almost every day since the Games opened last Sunday.

Special Olympics was founded in 1968 with an aim to promote physical fitness and social opportunities for the world's mentallydisabled. Ireland became the first country outside North America to host the summer Special Olympics and China will host the next Games in 2007.

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