Hi All
Just a quick note on my return from Shanghai to let you know how our athletes did at The Special Olympic World Games. Their dreams came true thanks to your support and the money we raised throughout 2007 staging the pirate road show.
Well, I can tell you that they brought back heaps medals, gold, silver and bronze and the emotions and memories will stay with me forever! China pulled out all the stops to make this the most successful games to date, filling a 70,000 stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies, joined by artists such as Arnold Swartzeneger, Jackie Chan, Colin Farrell, Kenny Gee, José Carreras and many many more. Athletes from over 60 Countries competed; they pushed themselves to the limits and embraced each other with hugs and handshakes, breaking down all the barriers (a real tearjerker!)
It was so nice to meet all the athletes that we had jointly supported and I will try my best to bring them and their medals along to meet you at our next visit. As they are only allowed to compete in one World Games during their careers the pressure was on but, like the children we support, they tried best, were always smiling and embraced the winner with pure excitement and genuine happiness rarely ever seen in any competition.
The motto of the Special Olympics “Let me win but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”, this is also the words that in ancient times the gladiators would mutter before they went out into the arena, these youngsters were not only brave but an inspiration for thousands of people around the World with Learning Disabilities.
