Fireworks explode in the sky to mark the opening of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, eastern China on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007. [Photo: Xinhua]

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The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games opened in Shanghai, eastern China, on Tuesday evening. Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the opening ceremony, accompanied by a series of celebrities from around the world.

More than 7,000 athletes from 165 countries and regions will compete at the event from October 2-11.

It's the first time that the world's biggest sports meeting for the mentally challenged groups has been held in Asia, and the second time outside the U.S.