September 1, 2005 (Shanghai) – Senior sports figures and dignitaries gathered to show their sport of a charitable event and a grand athletics summit that will coincide with the staging of the inaugural 2005 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix.

　　At a press conference today, the secretary general of the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix organizing committee, Shanghai Sports Administration vice-president Qiu Wei Chang, executive deputy director of the organizing committee, CEO of the Shanghai Dragon Investment Co Ltd and the chairman of Shanghai Golden Grand Prix, Shi De Rong, the managing director of Shanghai Golden Grand Prix, Mary Gu, the managing director of International Shanghai commodity Auction Co.Ltd, Xu Mian Ji and other leading officials unveiled details of the charitable auction and international athletic summit that will be held in the lead-up to the Golden athletics meeting..

　　Many of the world’s top athletes and officials will take part in the summit to be held on September 17 on the same day as the meeting.

　　IAAF president Lamine Diack and the IAAF vice-president and competition director chairman, Lou Daipeng, also attended the function to announce details of the summit and charitable auction in aid of less privileged children.

　　Many sports and athletic professional bodies from all over China will take part in the auction and summit and this includes large corporations – both big international multi-national corporations and Chinese corporations – to build a good platform and to develop better communication, while building a solid foundation to improve the level of athletics the world over. The summit hopes to attract more big corporations to athletics and to help athletic development in the region.

　　The summit has a very deep meaning as it aims to not only establish the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix as a world class event but to serve as a warm-up event to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The summit hopes to develop new ideas while exchanging experiences so China can develop its own athletic path so more Liu Xiangs can be produced in the country.

　　As athletics is considered the mother of all sports and is regarded as one of the main events of the Olympic Games, China hopes to become an even bigger sports nation and improvement in athletics is seen as the way forward.

　　To improve the level of competition, many senior sports figures from all over the world will gather at the summit, providing a rare opportunity for so many respected dignitaries to come together to share their ideas and wisdom.

　　It is hoped during the summit that not only sports corporations will take part but non-sports corporations as well, so all can share their expertise in how to better commercialise sports so it can be more successful.

　　Shanghai Golden Grand Prix organisers will welcome IAAF president Lamine Diack, IAAF members and IOC (international Olympic Committee) members and famous athletes on September 15. More than 300 guests, including former many Olympic and world champions, famous entertainers, sponsors, VIPS will attend.

　　National sports association leaders and Shanghai mayor Han Zheng will also attend the auction. It’s a special day for organisers, sports stars, officials and sponsors to get together for the benefit of under privileged children and for less fortunate people who need more care, love and understanding.

　　The auction is being held to raise funds so those under privileged and mentally handicapped children can take part in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, which will also be held in Shanghai. Organisers hope to re-live the spirit and motto for the Special Olympics, which is "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt".

　　So far the auction has received positive feedback from sponsors such as Omega, Chow Tai Fook, Oishi food products and other sponsors. All proceeds will go towards the International Shanghai Commodity Auction Co Ltd and the items that will go under the hammer will be on display for up to three days.

　　Successful bidders will receive a special certificate from the 2007 Special Olympics Committee. The International Shanghai Commodity Auction Co Ltd is trying to make the event as successful as possible and is giving out their full support to the event. Organisers wish to thank their generous support.

　　Organiser hope all items that go under hammer will be at a reasonable price to help China and Shanghai in their charitable cause. Organisers would also like to invite any person who would like to sponsor or make a contribution to contact them.

　　It was also announced that special prize money will be on offer for any athlete who breaks the existing world record in their event. Organisers of the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix thanked these sponsors for their support.

　　For tickets, please call 86-21-64265678 or 86-21-54076366 or visit the website www.shgoldengp.com for more details.

　　ENDS