The Flame of Hope for the Shanghai 2007 Special Olympic World Summer Games lit the torch, which was carried to pass through a string of landmark sites in Washington, on Thursday at the White House hosted by U.S. President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush.
"I am proud to salute an outstanding group of athletes, the men and women of Team USA," said Bush in the global law enforcement torch run ceremony at the White House. "I'd also like to extend our greetings to the representatives from Team China, you're welcomed here in the Rose Garden."

He also gave thanks to Liu Peng, the president of the State General Administration of Sport, saying that he was glad to have received a letter on the Special Olympics to be held in Shanghai this October from China's President Hu Jintao.

"I appreciate very much your bringing President Hu's letter on the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai."

More than 200 Special Olympic athletes and law enforcement officials from the United States and China attended the torch run covering about 12.4 kilometers. The torch stopped at the Chinese Embassy to the United States, where held a special welcoming ceremony.

"The Shanghai Special Olympics is among the three major sport events to be hosted by China, the other two are 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics," said Liu Peng at the welcoming ceremony.

"With the full participation by peoples of Shanghai, we have full confidence that we will present a wonderful and unforgettable Special Olympics to the whole world."

On June 29, the flame was lit near the Acropolis in Athens using the rays of the Sun, and then began a 35,200 kilometers journey across five continents to pass on the spirit and friendship of athletes and raise public attention and respect for individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities.

The "Flying Dragon" torch has already passed Egypt and Britain. After the U.S. stop, the flame will head for South Korea, Japan and Australia before returning to China in September.

The 2007 Special Olympic Summer Games will run from October 2 to 11 in Shanghai, which will host more than 10,000 athletes and coaches from 163 nations and regions. More than 40,000 volunteers have signed up to help the event to a success.