China News Service, Beijing, March 3, "China attaches great importance to ice and snow sports for the disabled. In recent years, it has taken various measures to encourage more disabled people to participate in sports, especially since the successful bid for the Beijing Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics. More and more disabled people are actively participating in and feeling the charm of ice and snow sports." Wang Meimei, vice chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, said on the 3rd.
On the same day, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on the release of the white paper on the "Development and Rights Protection of Sports for the Disabled in China".
Wang Meimei made the above statement when answering a reporter's question.
Wang Meimei said that although the Chinese Winter Paralympic Movement started late, it has been catching up in recent years and gradually developing and expanding.
The successful bid for the Beijing Winter Paralympics has brought great opportunities for the development of ice and snow sports for the disabled in China.
After several years of unremitting efforts, the Chinese Winter Paralympic Movement has made continuous progress.
"From 2015 to 2021, the number of Winter Paralympic Games nationwide has expanded from 2 to 6, achieving full coverage of the competition; the number of athletes has grown from less than 50 to nearly 1,000. Since 2018, it will be held every year. National Winter Paralympic competitions, including alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, and wheelchair curling, are all included in the National Paralympic Games."
Wang Meimei introduced that China will have 96 athletes participating in 6 major events and 73 minor events in the Beijing Winter Paralympics. Compared with the Sochi Winter Paralympics in 2014, the number of participating athletes has increased by 86, and the number of major events has increased. 4, and the number of minor items increased by 67.
Wang Meimei pointed out that with the Winter Paralympics as an opportunity, the popular ice and snow sports for the disabled are booming.
The successful bid for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics has also driven more and more disabled people to experience the charm of ice and snow sports.
She said that since 2016, the "Snow Sports Season for Disabled Persons" has been held for six consecutive years to build a platform for the integration of disabled people to "drive 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports".
From the 14 provincial-level units launched in the first session, it has grown to 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities).
"All regions hold winter sports activities for disabled people according to local conditions, and carry out various forms and rich activities such as winter Paralympic event experience, mass ice and snow sports events, winter rehabilitation fitness training camp, and ice and snow carnival. "Instruction Manual on Activity Methods", etc., to provide services and support for grassroots disabled people in winter sports and fitness." Wang Meimei said.
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