Progress seen in Paralympic participation

A new accessibility guide, scheduled to be released in October, will help to improve the environment for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, officials said.

The Paralympics has become a premier international sports event to promote progress in social inclusion, said Philip Graven, president of the International Paralympic Committee.

The preparatory work for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games also focuses on the concept of inclusiveness, prioritizing increased awareness of accessibility and infrastructure improvement nationwide, according to the Beijing Organizing Committee.

Hosting the 2008 Paralympics has brought about marked changes in accessibility in the host country.

The 2022 event will provide another key opportunity to improve infrastructure and facilities, which will encourage people with disabilities to empower themselves and participate more in society, committee officials said.

They added they hope hosting the Paralympics will have a positive effect on policymakers and public awareness, helping to create a friendly climate that respects and protects the interests of those with disabilities.

In addition, in cooperation with the China Disabled Persons' Federation and government departments in Beijing and Hebei province - co-hosts of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games - the committee has developed coordination to improve accessibility.

Since China won the bid to host the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2015, ice and snow sports events have become increasingly popular among people with disabilities.

To date, the number of professional athletes has grown to nearly 400 from less than 50 before, and participants involve residents of 12 provinces.

Since 2016, China has hosted 10 ice and snow sports events for people with disabilities, which have attracted 245 Chinese players. A total of 250 Chinese athletes have participated in 17 international events, some of them creating records in their respective fields.

(China Daily 07/31/2017 page5)