Pingtan, an island in the Taiwan Straits known for its role in cross-Straits exchanges, welcomed 92 athletes for a Special Olympics floor curling competition aimed at promoting inclusion and regional connections.

The 2026 Fujian–Hong Kong–Macao–Taiwan Special Olympics Floor Curling Exchange Tournament, themed "Straits Family Bonds, Dreams Together," opened in Pingtan on May 14 alongside the Fujian Provincial Special Olympics Floor Curling Competition, bringing together athletes from Fujian, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

A total of 92 athletes competed in the event. On the court, they showed focus and strong teamwork as they carried out curling deliveries, positioning plays, takeouts and defensive moves under the guidance of coaches. The matches were spirited and hard fought.

Nanping, a semifinalist last year, delivered a strong opening-day performance with back-to-back victories to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

"Our players are in good form and full of confidence. We hope they can surpass themselves and achieve even better results this year," Nanping coach Zhuo Chaowei said.

Feng Guanglan, a board member of the Taiwan Association for Family Care of Children with Special Needs, said the event helped deepen cross-Straits exchanges.

"We hope similar activities can continue in the future and encourage more families from special-needs communities on both sides of the Straits to take part and build stronger connections," Feng said.

Liu Xiaohong, head of the Macao delegation, said the competition provided an inclusive platform for participants.

"It allows everyone to experience joy, build determination and challenge themselves through sport. This kind of growth and perseverance is especially meaningful," Liu said.

The tournament featured a combination of round-robin and knockout formats. Fourteen teams were divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. Champions, runners-up and third-place finishers will be decided, while an outstanding organization award will also recognize team participation and spirit.

"We hope to promote emotional connections through sports and support high-quality development for people with disabilities through the values of equality and inclusion," said Bi Zhanmin, president of the Fujian Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Relatives.