Setting his feet on the field inside Shanghai Stadium for the first time, Liang Tao takes a deep breath, tries to focus and stay calm as hundreds of watchful eyes look on.

A 4-kilogram shot in his hand, the 24-year-old closes his eyes momentarily - for him this is not a competition against other people, it is a contest with a far greater adversary: the limits of his own body.

This is just one of the scenes that played out at the Special Olympics Shanghai Invitational Games last year, a dress rehearsal for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games that will be held in the same city later this year.

As the event makes its way to mainland Asia for the first time, people with intellectual disabilities are enjoying a higher profile.

More than 7,000 athletes from 170 nations and regions will compete in 21 sports in world-class venues, while about 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, friends, spectators and journalists from every continent will be involved.

"Without any doubt, the Special Olympics is profoundly changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and their families," said Tang Xiaoquan, vice-chairperson of the China Disabled Persons' Federation(CDPF).

"They wear huge smiles and inspire those around them, something that helps foster greater social harmony," she added.

In a country with an estimated 12 million people affected by developmental disabilities, the Chinese government has played a leading role in growing the Special Olympics movement.

Much attention is given to enhancing public awareness with a view to minimizing discrimination and better integrating the disabled into society.

Liang is just one of the beneficiaries.

"I thought I would earn a gold medal (last year)," he said with a slight stutter, "but silver will still make my parents proud."

Huang Xiujuan, who manages one of the Sunshine Homes in Shanghai, said it was important to highlight points of connection.

"These people are the same as us. They wish to share their joy and talk about their pain with others," she said.

Sunshine Homes are a group of government-supported service centers that provide training, education, entertainment, sports and handicraft services for the intellectually disabled in Shanghai.

There are now 233 such centers across the city helping to improve the lives of their 12,000 members. "Their lives have undergone significant changes in Shanghai," said Huang.

She recalled one girl, Shao Yiting, who became withdrawn when she failed to find a job after graduating from a special school. To make matters worse, the girl was also dealing with a suicidal parent.

"Shao used to be silent and didn't know how to take care of herself, but now she enjoys talking and laughing," Huang said. "She learned some basic skills at the center, such as preparing beds and washing the dishes."

Bruce Pasternack, president and CEO of Special Olympics International, complimented China on its efforts to help these underprivileged members of society.

"Too often, they are hidden from view and marginalized by society. Too many are institutionalized and lack access to education, health care and employment. We will not accept (this)," he said.

He said it is fitting for the World Games to take place in China, which now has the largest Special Olympics program in the world.

"The growth of Special Olympics China has been phenomenal," he said. In just six years, the program has grown from 76,000 to more than 550,000 athletes participating in sports training and competition.

Strong support from the Chinese government and the CDPF has been instrumental to this growth, he added.