less than 20 years ago , refused to even acknowledge any of their citizens were intellectually disabled . At the time , former Prime Minister Li Peng was quoted as saying , `` Mentally retarded people give birth to idiots . '' `` There 's a long way to go -- there 's a long way . But the good news is we 're moving , '' says Tim Shriver , chairman of the Special Olympics . China 's transformation is so far mostly from the top down , beginning with no less than President Hu Jintao whose presence at the Opening Ceremony was particularly notable . See photos of the opening ceremony '' Also notable was the president 's visit to one of Shanghai 's `` Sunshine Homes '' this month . The shelters are a direct result of this city winning the rights five years ago to host the Special Olympics . Back then , officials quickly realized their treatment of the city 's 70,000 mentally disabled was woefully inadequate . Now there are 240 Sunshine Homes spread across this sprawling city , caring for about 15,000 of those most in need , like 25-year-old Chen Xiaohan .
SHANGHAI , China -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Natalie Williams , a 21-year-old Special Olympics basketball player from Kentucky , says she 's never really been treated like a true athletic star . But that was before she came to the Games in China , which has undergone a major change in its treatment of the mentally disabled . Hong Kong 's Special Olympics team marches into the stadium during last week 's opening ceremony . `` They are able to accept special needs people in a way that maybe some other countries do not , '' Williams says . Last week , organizers rolled out the red carpet for athletes arriving at the Special Olympics in Shanghai , China . Never before in the 39-year history of the Special Olympics has there been such an extravagant , star-studded opening ceremony . And everywhere in this city , there are billboards with the smiling faces of the mentally disabled promoting the Games . China spent millions ensuring the 7,500 competitors are cared for -- and more importantly accepted . Watch ` This is a highlight to their lives ' '' That 's quite a turnaround for a country whose leadership ,