Chinanews client's March 9th telegram: "New Benchmark" and "Unbelievable"!
More than half of the Beijing Winter Paralympics has been praised
Reporter Wang Yu
"When China focuses on doing one thing, it will be done, and that's what (the Paralympic Games) are like today," said Craig Spence, spokesman for the International Paralympic Committee, commenting on Beijing on the 8th. That's what he said at the Winter Paralympics.
That night, as the Slovakian team and the Czech team decided on the Winter Paralympic ice hockey arena, the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics officially ended the competition for the first half of the schedule.
Looking back at the Beijing Winter Paralympics, which is halfway through the season, what makes the International Paralympic Committee make such a sigh?
On March 4, the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Beijing National Stadium.
Pictured is the torch.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Han Haidan
"WOW!"
- amazing opening ceremony
This wonderful ice and snow journey started five days ago at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Paralympics.
Less than half a month before the closing of the Beijing Winter Olympics, the dazzling fireworks once again lit up the sky above the "Bird's Nest". Under the inspiration of the Paralympic spirit, disabled athletes from all over the world gathered here to welcome this symbol of hard work and continuous self-improvement. An ice and snow event of solidarity and friendship.
In the joy of reuniting again after four years and the original creative performance, countless touching moments of life bloom, always conveying the perseverance belonging to disabled athletes.
Craig Spence, spokesman for the International Paralympic Committee, said that if there was one word to describe the opening ceremony, it would be "WOW"!
"The opening ceremony was amazing! If the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games opened a new chapter for the Paralympic Games, then we believe that the Beijing Winter Paralympics will set a new benchmark for the Paralympic Games. The Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee is my The best organizing committee of the three Paralympic Winter Games I have experienced, and the preparation is top-notch," Spence said.
This unparalleled opening ceremony also impressed the world guests who participated in it.
Ratko Kovacic, chairman of the Croatian Paralympic Committee, said that the opening ceremony was very successful, the organization work was very good, the facilities and conditions of the Winter Paralympic Games were also very good, and there were many very friendly and helpful volunteers .
It is believed that the Beijing Winter Paralympics will be successfully held.
On March 8, Chinese player Guo Yujie (left) and Chinese player Li Huiling (right) were in the game.
On the same day, the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Biathlon Women's Middle Distance-Stance Competition was held at the National Biathlon Center in Zhangjiakou Division.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Han Bing
"Unbelievable!"
- The event runs smoothly! Handicapped facilities are considerate!
The opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Paralympics marked a wonderful start for this paralyzed ice and snow sports event.
Craig Spence admitted that there are usually operational problems such as technical glitches in the early stages of competitions, but "everything is going according to plan" for the Beijing Winter Paralympics.
"(The operation of the Beijing Winter Paralympics) is very smooth and smooth. We are very grateful to the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee and the International Sports Federation for their strong support." He said that it has been three years since the (new crown) epidemic appeared, and there are many things in the preparation process for the event. International sports federations have difficulties in travel and communication.
Under such circumstances, the operation of the Beijing Winter Paralympics is still so smooth, "this is very incredible and meaningful."
Unlike the Winter Olympics, the barrier-free environment directly affects the daily life and travel of Paralympic athletes. A smooth barrier-free flow will bring a more comfortable experience to athletes and other disabled people.
Since the opening of the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games, the barrier-free environment has been frequently praised by athletes from various delegations and accessibility experts, saying that it has set a new standard for the hosts of the Winter Paralympic Games.
"The room is very big and bright, and it also provides us with a disabled toilet. The bed also has heating and lifting functions, and the disabled facilities are very complete." Kyle Sitch, a US Paralympic hockey player, also commented on the accessibility of the Winter Paralympic Village. Greatly appreciated: "The elevator has a lot of space, which is conducive to our use of wheelchairs. The barrier-free facilities in the Winter Paralympic Village are really convenient!"
On March 7th, Switzerland's Murat Pelitt competes.
On the same day, the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Paralympic Alpine Skiing Men's All-around - Seated Final was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Ski Center.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Yang Huafeng
The gondola lift of the National Alpine Ski Center also provides great convenience for athletes with lower limb disabilities to use ski equipment.
Nicky Ellsward, coach of the alpine skiing team at the Netherlands Paralympic Winter Games, said: "I have participated in the Sochi and Pingchang Winter Paralympics, and the hardware facilities and barrier-free facilities here are the same as those of the winter I have participated in. The best in the Paralympic Games."
In fact, during the more than six years of preparation, the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee adhered to the concept of "athletes as the core", in accordance with "three competition areas, one standard", according to the physical conditions and actual needs of the athletes participating in the venue. , ensuring that facilities and access are accessible, all of which have also been praised by Craig Spence.
"The barrier-free environment created during the Games is a very good legacy. It's great to see the work done by Beijing, but we also see the legacy of 2008, coupled with the accessibility of the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. facilities, which forms a good catalyst for improving accessibility in China, everything is very good," he said.
On March 8, the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Biathlon men's middle distance-sitting competition was held at the National Biathlon Center in Zhangjiakou Division.
China's Liu Mengtao won the championship.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Han Bing
"The future is promising!"
——Frequent reports of the great achievements of Chinese athletes
In the past four competition days, the Chinese Paralympic sports delegation has blossomed more and achieved 8 golds, 8 silvers and 11 bronzes, ranking first in the medal table.
Before the opening of the Beijing Winter Paralympics, the historical data of the Chinese team was only 1 gold.
The outstanding performance of Chinese disabled athletes today is a microcosm of the vigorous development of China's disabled sports.
Taking advantage of the preparations for the Beijing Winter Paralympics, the number of Chinese Winter Paralympic sports has expanded from 2 to 6, realizing the full coverage of the Winter Paralympic Games. people.
In the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games, the Chinese team has also created many firsts—the largest participation scale, the largest number of athletes, and the most complete participation projects.
Wang Yue and Yang Qianru expressed their aspirations with optimism and strength, "Although we can't see the world, but we want the world to see us", Ji Lijia, Wang Pengyao, and Zhu Yonggang chased the UL-level competition in the men's obstacle course, so that three five-star red flags were raised at the same time... Behind the challenge of the limit and the frequent successes are the dedication and sweat of every Chinese Paralympic athlete.
Craig Spence lamented: "In the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, China raised the standard of Paralympic sports. Today, China has not only greatly promoted the development of Paralympic sports, but also set new standards for sports events. 2022 , the hosts will bring the Winter Paralympic Games to new heights, and we also look forward to their future performances." (End)