Anthony Lover, writer, producer and director of the movie "My Brother", starring Special Olympics Board Member Vanessa Williams, huddles with Donovan Jennings, a first-time actor with down syndrome who portrayed "James" in "My Brother," during the "Picture This" event.

Special Olympics Vietnam, the movement's newest Program, held its first national Games in Hanoi on 17-18 April. Seventy-one athletes from three provinces - Ho Chi Minh, Quang Tri and Hanoi - competed in athletics and bocce.

Special Olympics Vietnam is already making a tremendous difference in its athletes' lives, and the Games brought that into sharp focus. Athlete Vuong Thi Hoa said she felt "wonderful" when she came second in the 100m dash and even more wonderful when there was thunderous applause from the spectator stands when her name was called for the awards ceremony. She explained that life before Special Olympics was boring. She has no friends, and even some members of her family shunned her. She would come home from school and watch cartoons on TV until she went to bed.

Maria Macina, producer of "Guiding Light" listens in on a roundtable discussion facilitated by Special Olympics Vice President of Sports & Competition, Dave Lenox (on right, in the suit), during the "Picture This" event.

After the Games, she said, everyone - newspaper and television reporters, schoolmates - wants to know more about her. Even strangers walk up to shake her hand. She enjoys the attention and looks forward to training every week. She is happy that she can be with new friends and learning new skills. Vuong's mother added that she is thrilled that her daughter is now accepted, respected and recognized for her achievements.

Duong, a volunteer at the Games, said the excitement of the competition was infectious. After the Closing Ceremony, he went to the school which many of the athletes attend and saw the immediate impact of Special Olympics. "Parents picked up their kids earlier than usual, and went out to celebrate," he said. "All the athletes still had their medals and ribbons around their necks and refused to take them off. They were talking with each other about the Games and looking at photos of the competition. There was so much excitement that they were in a world of their own. It was a wonderful sight."

The Opening Ceremony at the first Special Olympics Vietnam National Games was highlighted by the Parade of Athletes, the athlete's oath, entertainment and a welcoming speech from Games Organizing Chairman Vu The Phiet, Vice President of the Vietnam Sports Association for the Disabled (VSAD). Special Olympics Asia Pacific Managing Director Troy Greisen officially recognized Special Olympics Vietnam as the movement's newest Program.

Guest of Honor at the Games was Huynh Vinh Ai, Vice Minister of Sports and Vice President of the Vietnam Olympic Committee (VOC). Other VIPs included senior members of VOC; Nguyen The Bon, President of VSAD; Nghiem Xuan Tue, Director of the National Coordinating Council on Disability of Vietnam; and two special guests from Laos, Le Kakanhya, Vice Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, and Dr. Bounkouang Phichit, Vice Minister of Public Health.

The event was well covered by electronic and print media, including two government television stations and the local English daily, "Viet Nam News."

The Closing Ceremony included the presentation of awards, a draw to select athletes for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China, and the announcement of the 2008 Special Olympics Vietnam National Games, to be held in Ho Chi Minh City in August 2008.