Beijing to Hold March to Mark Special Olympics

The Special Olympics International (SOI) of China will hold a Millennium March for mentally retarded people in May, according to report of China Daily.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the goodwill envoy as well as famous movie star, and a SOI delegation will be on hand in Beijing from May 18 to 22 to participate in the activities, including the Great Wall Torch Run, National Fitness Competition and a Film Festival.

The march is to promote the spirit of the Special Olympics and to raise funds for its development in China.

"It is the responsibility and duty of the government and the whole society to upgrade the life quality of mentally retarded persons," said Deng Pufang, chairman of China Disabled Persons' Federation.

In the following five years, the Special Olympics China plans to set up six to eight national and 30 provincial training centers as well as 5,000 community activity centers for mentally retarded persons. It will also increase the number of athletes from the current 50,000 to 500,000 as well as expand the number of sporting events from six to 10.

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