Chinese Sensation Ziyi Zhang Joins Special Olympics as Newest Global Ambassador

Chinese Sensation Ziyi Zhang Joins Special Olympics as Newest Global Ambassador

International Actress Vows to Spread Special Olympics Message of Acceptance

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- November 10, 2006, leading Chinese actress Ziyi Zhang, known for her starring roles in Memoirs of a Geisha and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, joins the Special Olympics family as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador. In her new role, Ms. Zhang pledges to spread the organization's message of inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities to an international audience. Ms. Zhang's announcement was made during a reception for the ''Special Olympics For Social Harmony'' forum held at United Nations headquarters in New York City.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040302/LNTU017LOGO )

''As a Global Ambassador, I am committed to helping Special Olympics transform attitudes and dispel negative stereotypes on a global level,'' said Ziyi Zhang. ''I hope to help people understand that we need to celebrate and appreciate differences. We all have worth, we all have value, and we're all better off when we help each other out.''

Ms. Zhang joins a select group of celebrities who are dedicated to spreading the Special Olympics movement and message. They include California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; boxing legend Muhammad Ali; Olympian Nadia Comaneci; and performer Vanessa Williams.

More than 190 million people worldwide have an intellectual disability, making it the largest disability group worldwide. Intellectual disability crosses racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic lines, and can occur in any family.

''Ziyi's commitment to the international Special Olympics movement strengthens our message that Special Olympics belongs not to any one country, but rather to the world, creating harmonious societies on every continent,'' said Bruce Pasternack, President and CEO, Special Olympics. ''We're confident her international celebrity will help raise awareness of acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities all over the world.''

In 2005, Ms. Zhang was named one of ''The Time 100'', Time magazine's list of the world's most influential people. In May 2005, she was featured as the face of China in Newsweek's feature story ''China's Century.'' In May of 2006, she became the youngest member to serve on the jury of the 59th Cannes Film Festival. For the last three consecutive years, Ms. Zhang has been named by Forbes as one of China's Most Influential Person.

Ms. Zhang is most well known for her critically acclaimed performance in director Ang Lee's stunning "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Released in 2000, Ms. Zhang received 14 nominations, going on to win the 2001 Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress and 2000 Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress, among many others. In 2005, Ms. Zhang debuted in her first English language film in the lead role for "Memoirs of a Geisha,'' directed by Rob Marshall. She received Best Actress nominations from the 2006 Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and British Film Academy Awards.

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for 2.25 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at http://www.specialolympics.org/ .

For more information, please contact:

Kirsten Seckler
Tel: +1-202-715-1147
Email: kseckler@specialolympics.org

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Source: Special Olympics East Asia

CONTACT: Kirsten Seckler of Special Olympics East Asia, +1-202-715-1147,
kseckler@specialolympics.org

Web Site: http://www.specialolympics.org.cn/

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