ATHENS, June 25 -- Greek President Karolos Papoulias officially declared open the Athens 2011 World Summer Special Olympics on Saturday evening in a spectacular ceremony staged at the Panathinaikon Stadium, the venue of the first modern 1896 Olympic Games.

Approximately 7,500 Special Olympics athletes from 183 countries, including 137 Chinese, participate in the Games that will run to July 4 in a string of 30 venues across Athens.

From Sunday they will compete in 22 sports, sending the world the message that persons with mental disabilities can become valuable members of the international community.

Fireworks explode over the sky during the opening ceremony of the Athens 2011 World Summer Special Olympics at the the Panathinaikon Stadium in Athens, early on June 26, 2011. Greek President Karolos Papoulias officially declared open the Athens 2011 World Summer Special Olympics on Saturday evening

The three-hour ceremony won high remarks for a spectacular display of fireworks and the simplicity of music and dance performances inspired by ancient Greek mythology and culture.

They were matched with moving performances by internationally famed artists such as American singer, songwriter, musician and producer Stevie Wonder.

The ceremony started with a music performance of volunteers and Special Olympic athletes using ancient Greek type clay urns as musical instruments.

At the end of the performance they threw them down to the ground "back inside the arms of mother earth" in a symbolic representation of breaking down the walls of prejudice against intellectually disabled people.

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