Members of the Chinese Basketball Association pose for a photo with Special Olympics athletes in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. /CFP
Members of the Chinese Basketball Association pose for a photo with Special Olympics athletes in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. /CFP
CBA player Zhai Xiaochuan (C) helps a Special Olympics athlete shoot in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. /CFP
CBA player Zhai Xiaochuan (C) helps a Special Olympics athlete shoot in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. /CFP
A Special Olympics athlete is about to shoot in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
A Special Olympics athlete is about to shoot in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
CBA player Zhai Xiaochuan helps a Special Olympics athlete dunk in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
CBA player Zhai Xiaochuan helps a Special Olympics athlete dunk in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
A Special Olympics athlete shoots in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
A Special Olympics athlete shoots in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
CBA player Zhai Xiaochuan (R) high-fives a Special Olympics athlete in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
CBA player Zhai Xiaochuan (R) high-fives a Special Olympics athlete in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
A Special Olympics athlete (R) shoots a layup in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
A Special Olympics athlete (R) shoots a layup in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
Yao Ming, president of the Chinese Basketball Association, speaks in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
Yao Ming, president of the Chinese Basketball Association, speaks in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
CBA player Zhai Xiaochuan (R) teaches a Special Olympics athlete how to shoot in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
CBA player Zhai Xiaochuan (R) teaches a Special Olympics athlete how to shoot in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
Former Chinese national basketball team player Wang Zhizhi (C) poses for a photo with two Special Olympics athletes in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
Former Chinese national basketball team player Wang Zhizhi (C) poses for a photo with two Special Olympics athletes in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
Special Olympics athletes attend the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
Special Olympics athletes attend the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
The gifts exchanged by Chinese basketball stars and Special Olympics athletes in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
The gifts exchanged by Chinese basketball stars and Special Olympics athletes in the "Gather on the court" event in Beijing, May 31, 2023. CFP
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Wednesday held the "Gather on the court" event with Special Olympics athletes in Beijing as part of the celebrations for International Children's Day, which falls on June 1.
Special Olympics is a prominent sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
CBA President Yao Ming, former Chinese national team players Wang Zhizhi and Song Xiaoyun, as well as current CBA players Zhai Xiaochuan and Xujie and WCBA (Women's Chinese Basketball Association ) player Wu Tongtong, played basketball with 12 Special Olympics athletes and exchanged gifts.
"Welcome to the Chinese Basketball Association," Yao said at the event. "I hope you get a better understanding of basketball today and do your best on the court with the help of these big brothers and sisters."
"I hope today's event can make basketball a bond that goes through the barriers for all teenagers and children to enjoy the fun of the sport," said Feng Meisun, president of Special Olympics East Asia. "I hope people with and without intellectual disabilities can share the happiness of basketball, exchange friendship and become friends on the same court."