Despite the economic crisis which has hit Greece hard, Athens will be ready to host in June the best World Summer Special Olympics ever, said the Greek organizers on Wednesday, 150 days before the start of the Games.

"In a bleak environment, we always need a rainbow. Our athletes will become this rainbow of joy and optimism for the world," said Joanna Despotopoulou, President of the Greek Organizing Committee of the Games, during a sponsors forum held in Athens.

Approximately 7,500 Special Olympic athletes from 185 countries across the globe, among which China participate with a 137-member delegation, are expected in Greece for the Games.

The Flame of Faith, Love and Hope for the Athens 2011 Special Olympics will be lit on June 9 at the archaeological site of Pnika opposite to the Acropolis hill.

After a torch relay that will reach Instanbul, Egypt, Cyprus and 60 cities across Greece, the opening ceremony will be held on June 25 at Panathinaikon Stadium in Athens, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.

The Athens 2011 World Summer Special Olympics will run to July 4.

Athletes to compete in 22 sports in 30 venues will be accompanied by 2,500 coaches and 40,000 family members and friends, 3,000 dignitaries and 3,000 media representatives and be supported by 19,000 volunteers.

The budget of the Games stands at 73 million euros (about 99.8 million U.S. dollars). A 35 percent of the necessary funds were invested by the Greek state and a 65 percent by domestic and international donors, such as Coca Cola and Cosco, explained Despotopoulou.

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