The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai has
been a safe event so far, organizers said yesterday.
No food poisoning incidents have been reported by any of the
delegations from the 164 nations and regions participating in the
event.
To ensure food safety, organizers have dispatched supervisors to
each of the reception venues and have asked liaison officers and
volunteers to take their delegations to dine at licensed food
stands and restaurants during their sightseeing outings.
The organizers did say yesterday that there had been some cases
of digestive disturbances because some of the mentally
disadvantaged athletes were not accustomed to eating Chinese
cuisine.
To guarantee immediate and effective treatments for the ill, the
event's organizers have set up a three-tier healthcare network
involving infirmaries at all sports venues and hotels, designated
health facilities in 18 districts and one county and three
city-level hospitals.
By Sunday afternoon, 1,690 individuals, including 1,140
athletes, had received medical services.
"Digestive problems and athletic injuries were the most common
complaints," said Cai Wei, the event steering committee's health
department chief. "Some athletes felt sick after meals because they
were not used to the food."
Nine people, including an athlete from Bangladesh, were in
hospital because of appendicitis or other illnesses, but all
remained in stable condition.
The organizers also created the Healthy Athletes program to help
athletes improve their abilities to train and compete in the
Special Olympics.
Since last Tuesday, the program has helped more than 4,000
athletes get physical check-ups for their eyes, ears, teeth, feet,
nutrition and flexibility. Some 250 medical workers, 380 volunteers
and 100 overseas professionals were involved in the program, which
ends tomorrow.
At the Special Smiles section athletes could have their teeth
screened, pick up a mouth guard, receive education on oral hygiene
and leave with souvenirs such as toothpaste and toothbrushes.
"In addition to increasing awareness of proper physical training
among the athletes, the program will help collect data for health
departments to take proper steps to improve the health of mentally
disabled people," said He Naiyao, chief doctor of the Beijing-based
China Rehabilitation Research Center.
(China Daily October 9, 2007)