The 2007 Special Olympics Summer World Games' official website was launched in Shanghai on Monday.

The site (www.specialolympicslive.org), which was jointly developed by Fudan University and the University of North Carolina, will enable Internet users around the world to watch the Games slated for Oct. 2-11.

The Website will also send out student volunteers, including 15 from the United States, to work around the clock to capture footage of every athlete during the whole Games.

Videos collected will be edited immediately at laboratories in four universities in Shanghai - Fudan, Shanghai International Studies University, East China Normal University and Shanghai University - before being uploaded onto the Internet.

Supporters who are not able to attend the Games, especially friends and family members of the Special Olympics athletes, will be able to watch their favorites compete in Shanghai.

Tim Shriver, chairman and chief executive officer of Special Olympics International, said that the student-led project is a milestone event.

"Because of our division, we highlight athletes of all ability levels," Shriver was quoted by the website as saying.

"The Website will allow us to share the joy and achievement of all our talented athletes from all over the world."

Yu Zhenwei, vice dean of Fudan's journalism school, said that the ground-breaking project gives students a rare chance to collaborate across cultures.

"This project is an incredible opportunity for UNC students to work with Chinese university students," said Michael Lindsay, one of the UNC students.

"We are very excited that we are making it possible for the world to see the amazing performances of every single one of the Special Olympic Games athletes."

(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2007)