SHANGHAI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) of the 2007 Special Olympics will be launched in Shanghai's Jing'an Gymnasium on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, according to official website of the 2007 Special Olympics.

MATP, which aims to enable those with a high level of mental disability to take part in sports training, is an integral part of the 2007 Games.

"The MATP has only been held in Ireland in 2003, and I'm proud the second MATP could be held in Shanghai," said Zhu Chenggang, director of the MATP Committee of the 2007 Special Olympics.

"The Special Olympic Games is a grand occasion to show humanity and care for the people with mental disability, and the MATP further promotes that spirit," Zhu said.

Athletes aged more than eight, with a high level of mental disability and no ability to participate in the official Special Olympics sports can participate in the MATP.

Athletes taking part in the MATP are grouped by gender and events. Each athlete can enter two events and every one will get a Participation Award.

The program will feature in nine events: roll, ball lift, ball kick, ball push, wheelchair push, walking, two-feet standing long jump, putter push and 10-pin bowling. Putter push and 10-pin bowling are included for the first time.

The Chinese team of MATP consists of 161 athletes, with the eldest aged 49 and the youngest aged eight.