Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > February, 2005

Prime Minister Koizumi Attends the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games Saturday, February 26, 2005 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano Prefecture. The Special Olympics aims for the independence of persons with intellectual disabilities and their participation in society through daily training and competition. It is held every four years in the summer and the winter, just like the Olympic Games. The Special Olympics in Nagano Prefecture is the first World Games of the Special Olympics to be held in Asia. In addition, it also has global significance in that this is the first time that all three games-the Olympics, Paralympics and Special Olympics-are to be held in the same region.. Prior to the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Koizumi visited and took a tour around the "Special Art Gallery" and the "NHK Exhibition of the Heart," where paintings and ceramics made by persons with intellectual disabilities are on display. Prime Minister Koizumi then commented on their artworks, by saying, "There are no borders or boundaries in their works. They are all pure artworks." He then attended the opening ceremony at the Nagano Olympic Memorial Arena, the "M-Wave," with His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince and Ms. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Honorary Chairman of Special Olympics, where they enjoyed the opening march and performances as well as the lighting ceremony of the Olympics flame. Prime Minister Koizumi said at the opening ceremony, "I hereby declare the opening of the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games." The Special Olympics will continue until March 5 in Nagano Prefecture, where 79 events for 9 sports, including speed skating and alpine skiing, are to be held.

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