Special Olympics East Asia announced the following highlights from the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games for March 3:
Program Leaders Forum: Leaders from Special Olympics programs around the world gathered to discuss how Special Olympics can expand over the next few years. Representatives from each Special Olympics programs attended. The working session resulted in recommendations on what program leaders, from the local level to the regional level, thought were the most important areas for growth in the Special Olympics Movement. The results were presented to the group during dinner, with comments by Special Olympics CEO and Chairman Timothy Shriver and Bobby Shriver who has been instrumental in raising funds for the Movement through a series of Very Special Christmas albums.
A Media Reception was held to thank and honor all the local and international media that have been reporting on the daily sports and non-sports events at the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games. In addition to several traditional dancing and singing demonstrations, a Japanese film crew was recognized. This film crew includes nine intellectually disabled people aged 13 to 34 who have been involved with Special Olympics activities. The Winter Games will be depicted though the eyes of the intellectually disabled in the documentary they are helping to film. The documentary is named “Believe” and will be aired in Japan later this year.
The official logo, theme and 2005 public service announcement for the next Special Olympics World Summer Games, to be held in Shanghai in October 2007, were announced. More information on the winning entries and the 2007 Summer Games can be found at http://www.2007specialolympics.com
Japanese Crown Princess Masako attended some events including Floor Hockey and Snowboarding, marking her first public appearance in several months.
Medals were awarded in events in all Winter competition sports. Athletes compete in various divisions for every event, with each division competing for a gold, silver and bronze medal. Special Olympics East Asia medal winners included:
Special Olympics China's Unified Sports Floor Hockey team defeated Slovakia 4-1 to win a gold medal. Slovakia placed 2nd with their 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei.
Special Olympics Chinese Taipei's Unified Sports Floor Hockey team earned a bronze medal in the final round of competitions.
Ge Wei, a 17-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Cross Country 10M Classical Race
Wang Ruichong, a 21-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a bronze medal in the Cross Country 10M Classical Race
Chu Wan Ru, a 17-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a gold medal in the Cross Country 500M Freestyle Race
Lo Yi Chu, a 12-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a silver medal in the Cross Country 500M Freestyle Race
Zhao Hongting, a 15-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a bronze medal in the Cross Country 500M Freestyle Race
Mao Wenchao, an 18-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a bronze medal in the Cross Country 500M Freestyle Race
Lee Sung Mei, a 17-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a gold medal in the Snowshoeing 400M Race
Li Lin, a 16-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Snowshoeing 400M Race
Chan Pak Kin, a 34-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a gold medal in the Snowshoeing 400M Race
Huang Shan, a 18-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a silver medal in the Snowshoeing 400M Race
Cao Mengjia, a 13-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a silver medal in the Snowshoeing 400M Race
Liang Xi Bin, a 14-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a silver medal in the Snowshoeing 400M Race
Wu Fu Hsiang, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a silver medal in the Snowshoeing 400M Race
Pan Honghua, a 17-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a bronze medal in the Snowshoeing 400M Race
Zhao Yong, an 18-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a bronze medal in the Snowshoeing 400M Race
Ho Ya Han, a 13-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Poon Tsz Hin, a 11-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Zhang Liang, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Chen Chun Kuei, a 16-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Yu Yo-Han, a 16-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Yuan Chia Yan, a 13-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Zhang Yu, a 21-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Wang Yu Kai, a 15-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Jia Yuchan, a 16-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a bronze medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Jerico Ip, a 13-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a bronze medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
Wang Zheng, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a bronze medal in the Speed Skating 111M Race
You Buh-Dul, a 14-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Liu Jia, an 18-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Yue Jinping, a 20-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Lee Ug-Jin, a 15-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Lee Young-Suk, a 16-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Geng Yu, a 16-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Yuan Ye, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Song Ki-Bo, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Tang Pui Shan, a 16-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Kuk Hiu Tung, a 19-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Li Wing Yan, a 15-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Ma Chun Sum, a 15-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Hong Sang-Ryoung, a 16-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Seo Sung-Ha, a 20-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Wong Hoi Yui, an 11-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a bronze medal in the Speed Skating 777M Race
Wong Lee Man, a 16-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Yuan, Chia Yun, a 13-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Poon Tsz Hin, an 11-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Shao Shuai, a 13-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Wang Zheng, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Tsai Chao Feng, a 13-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Zhang Liang, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Chen Lijuan, a 13-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Lau Yuk Ha, a 13-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Kim Jee-Youn, a 17-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Zhang Yu, a 21-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Mok Wai Lung, a 13-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Cheung Lung Fai, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Chen Tianbing, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Yu Yo-Han, a 16-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Kim Mi-Yeoung, a 17-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a bronze medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Wang Yu Kai, a 15-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a bronze medal in the Speed Skating 222M Race
Chen Yi Chien, a 13-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 25M Straight Race
Meng Limiao, a 16-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 25M Straight Race
Cui Jingyi, a 20-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 25M Straight Race
Feng Wenhui, an 18-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 25M Straight Race
Zhou Qunsheng, a 17-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in the Speed Skating 25M Straight Race
Sun Siru, a 15-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a silver medal in the Speed Skating 25M Straight Race
Kurtis Jon Siu, a 12-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a gold medal in Figure Skating Singles
Guo Xin, a 16-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics China, earned a gold medal in Figure Skating Singles
Gim Sang-Mi, a 15-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a gold medal in Figure Skating Singles
Kim Eun-Young, a 17-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a silver medal in Figure Skating Singles
Liu Yuk Yi, a 22-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a silver medal in Figure Skating Singles
Youn So-Hi, a 17-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics South Korea, earned a bronze medal in Figure Skating Singles
Yau Chi Him, a 14-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a bronze medal in Figure Skating Singles
Chien Kuang Han, a 13-year-old male athlete from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, earned a bronze medal in Figure Skating Singles
Tse Yuk Sim, a 16-year-old female athlete from Special Olympics Hong Kong, earned a bronze medal in Figure Skating Singles
Special Olympics East Asia has 195 Special Olympics athletes and 14 Unified Sports partners participating in the Games. The East Asia programs in China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea are taking part in Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Snowshoeing and Speed Skating. 2 Special Olympics East Asia athletes, one each from Special Olympics China and Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, will be among the 14 athletes attending the Global Youth Summit.
For more information about the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games, visit http://www.2005sowwg.com .
(Xinhua-PRNewswire March 4, 2005)
