Katia Deng/ Shanghai Daily news

With the preparations of the 2007 Special Olympic World Games underway, 155 streets and towns in nineteen districts and counties of Shanghai have coupled with 153 overseas Special Olympic delegations. In mid-October, heads of the delegations from 100 countries and districts will couple with the leaders of the communities in a conference for the 2007 SOWG.

The 2006 Special Olympics Shanghai Invitational Games will be held from October 12 to 19. According to the plans, 16 districts and counties in the city will welcome the SO delegations from 19 countries and districts to help them adjust to the city. Some of the SO athletes will be arranged to live with residents.

The 21 games will be held during the 2006 SOSIG. It will be the first time that SO competitions extend to all the districts and counties over Shanghai. SOI officials will join to offer instruction and judge the competitions.

Three teams will be established with the heads of delegations, made up of liaison officers, leaders of communities, and leaders in charge of receiving the guests for next year.

The 2006 Special Olympics Shanghai Invitational Games is almost equal to the popular nation-wide Games. Up to now, 2,100 athletes and coaches from over 20 countries and districts, including SOI officials, have been invited to the Games. As well, more than 4,000 volunteers are serving the Games and nearly 200 reporters from home and abroad will cover the event. The organizers have also prepared 60,000 SO promotional booklets, 60,000 posters, 60,000 display screens and 1,800 promotion brands. SO promotion activities are also being launched in the city’s schools.