SPECTATORS at the 2007 Special Olympics in Shanghai have a free run - quite literally.

Admission to all the 21 official events and four performance events is gratis.

"People will be organized to watch the events held in 18 districts and Chongming County and cheer for the Special Olympic athletes," Li Weiting, head of the competition department of the Games Steering Committee, said yesterday.

Li said the free admission is to attract more people to watch the Games.

Because the Special Olympics is more about care and love, spectators should encourage and support the athletes not only to compete, but also to enjoy themselves.

Timothy Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics, also called on all residents of Shanghai to care for and encourage the players.

"There are no onlookers in the Special Olympic Games ... everyone is a participant," he said. "Every person can learn from each other while enjoying the Games."

With the goal to bring all people with intellectual disabilities into participation rather than competition, the 10-day Games will also feature activities like "Global Summit for Health and Welfare of People with Intellectual Disabilities," "Global Youth Summit" attended by both intellectually disabled youths and regular youths, and "Global Family Forum."

Even before the Games opened, the athletes and their families took part in the Host Town Program where many got the chance to stay with Chinese families in 12 cities.