September 16, 2006 marked a new stage for the upcoming 2007 World Special Olympic Games as prominent dignitaries, including Shanghai’s Vice Mayor and Executive Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Zhou Tai Xing, accompanied Special Olympics athletes to officially launch the Special Olympics Hotline 962007 at the Shanghai Long-Distance Telecommunications Complex.

With the help of telecommunications partner Shanghai Telecom Ltd., the 2007 Shanghai Special Olympics Executive Committee will provide a comprehensive range of information services and assistance to participants and interested parties. Through the hotline’s service, the Executive Committee hopes to break the barriers of language, distance and time zones to fully reveal the attention and compassion the people of Shanghai have towards people with special needs.

This is the first time in history that the Special Olympic Games has employed a hotline service provided by a professional call center. As a key component in the management information systems of the Games, the hotline will both disseminate information to the public and participates, as well as serve as a hub for the coordination of Games’planning, organization, and management. The hotline will feature real-time updated information concerning the Games, such as match, event, and activity schedules as well as transportation, lodging, dining, and tourist information for the host city of Shanghai. At the same time, the Special Olympics 962007 hotline will maintain real-time contact with the 2007 World Special Olympic Games Executive Committee information management system and command center to provide instant feedback on all issues of public concern.

Volunteers and partners may register their services while Games participants and their families may coordinate emergency assistance as needed with Games officials and departments through the hotline. Given the diverse multinational and multiethnic background of the Games, all hotline services are provided in multiple languages, a fundamental step in breaking both language and cultural barriers as Shanghai and China welcome the international community.

Following the introduction of the hotline, Executive Committee officials fielded questions throughout the ceremony from representatives for athletes, their families, volunteers, and the media.

Vice-Secretary-Generals Shi Derong, Xu Lin, and Wang Wei awarded certificates recognizing the donations and contributions made by three Chinese manufacturers, Huawei Technology Ltd., Citrix Systems Ltd., and Shanghai Keshitong Technology and Information Ltd.

Executive Committee Volunteer Department Chief Chen Zhenmin awarded banners to the volunteers at Shanghai Telecom Ltd. to express heartfelt appreciation to them for their selfless service to the mission and spirit of the Special Olympic Games.