A party of 39 leaves the Isle of Man today, bound for the Special Olympics in China.
The opening ceremony is next Tuesday in Shanghai, where the Manx team will join over 7,000 athletes from 168 other countries.
The Island's team will compete in the aquatics, athletics, bocce, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics and equestrian events.
Chairman of the Special Olympics team, Moe Sherring, says it will be a once in a lifetime experience:
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