In the evening of December 21st, 2008, more than 200 members of the Special Olympics family joined together at Kerry Sports of Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing, to enjoy the SO Christmas Party. Ms. Anna Chan, Managing Director of SOEA, Mr. Jia Yong, SOI Board member, Director General of the Sports Department of China Disabled Persons' Federation and Executive Chairman of Special Olympics China, Mr. Wang Zhijun, Chairman of Special Olympics China, and other honored guests joined the 65 SO athletes from three Beijing special schools and their families, volunteers of Special Olympics and staff from SO East Asia office and SO China office for the celebration of the coming new year. Besides, the Party also welcomed a group of special honored guests — SOI Chairman Dr. Timothy P. Shriver and his family who were then on a private tour in China.

The Party was sponsored by Kerry Sports of Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing. Besides the wonderful banquet, there were also Special Olympics sports on spot, so the guests had a chance to play table tennis, golf and bocce against SO athletes and enjoy the fun of sports together. In addition, the lucky draws in the Party brought lots of happy surprises for all guests through the whole time.

 

Chaoyang Anhua School SO athletes

 

Dr. Shriver with General Manager of Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing, Mr. Johnson Wong

 

Chairman of Special Olympics China Mr. Wang Zhijun with SO athletes

 

SO athletes representative Ms. Judy Yang delivered an appreciation speech

 

Managing Director of SOEA Ms. Anna Chan introduced Dr. Shriver and his family

 

Dr. Shriver delivered a speech

 

Enjoy the table tennis games

 

Try a birdie

 

I'm the lucky winner

 

Group photo of SOEA staff