International Actress Vows to Spread Special Olympics Message of Acceptance
WASHINGTON D.C., 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.prnasia.com/sa/200611161203.jpg )
“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 .
