A Special Olympics winter sports event will kick off Monday in northeast China's Changchun city, capital of Jilin Province, an official said Saturday.

Wang Zhijun, chairman of Special Olympics China, said that it is the first time for China to host an event of Special Olympics winter sports. A total of 179 athletes will take part in the three-day competition.

Special Olympics is an international sporting competition created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence, social skills and a sense of personal accomplishment. Among their activities, Special Olympics conducts the Special Olympics World Games every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2008)