Paralympians primed for success at Paris Games

Yu Yutan, a member of China's visually impaired soccer team, expressed his eagerness to enjoy the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games as he familiarized himself with the stadium near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Tuesday night.

"We're fully prepared and eagerly anticipating the competition. I'm looking forward to the feeling of stepping onto this beautiful pitch," he said.

The Paris Paralympic Games began in earnest on Wednesday evening with an opening ceremony at Place de la Concorde, where around 270 members of the Chinese delegation were present. Wheelchair fencer Gu Haiyan and weightlifter Qi Yongkai had the honor of serving as flag bearers for Team China.

The Games will continue through Sept 8.

China's 284 Paralympic athletes will compete in 19 sports across 302 events. With meticulous preparation behind them, the team is determined to achieve outstanding results.

Wei Wei, a member of the Chinese Paralympic swimming team's support staff, said that the team has been acclimating in Paris for nearly a week and is in solid shape.

"The athletes are delivering high-quality training sessions and maintaining excellent mental focus," Wei said.

On Wednesday morning, the team completed its final training session before the competition, which begins on Thursday.

In the swimming events at the Paris Paralympics, running from Thursday to Sept 7, 141 gold medals are up for grabs. Wei said that China's 46 swimmers are fully prepared and determined to perform at their best.

Meanwhile, China's Paralympic cycling team, a blend of veteran and emerging athletes, is also ready to compete. Coach Li Peng said that individualized training plans have been tailored to each cyclist's strengths.

"Our athletes are committed, and our coaches, medical staff and technicians are all working in sync, united in their drive to excel," Li said.

Xu Min, a member of the Chinese delegation's medical team, detailed its crucial role in supporting the athletes.

"Our main focus is on injury prevention during training and competition, as well as delivering prompt medical and rehabilitation services," Xu said.

The medical team is a multidisciplinary unit, consisting of 23 specialists from orthopedics, rehabilitation, endocrinology, ophthalmology and other fields. The experts are drawn from both sports-specific hospitals and leading general hospitals, ensuring comprehensive care for the athletes, Xu said.

Sports play an essential role in enhancing the physical and mental well-being of the disabled, while also aiding their integration into society. By the end of last year, China had established 12,463 rehabilitation centers nationwide, supported by a workforce of 360,000 professionals, according to the China Disabled Persons' Federation.

Guo Lingling, a powerlifting champion at the Tokyo Paralympics, faced significant challenges in her youth due to polio, which left her dependent on a wheelchair and crutches. However, powerlifting provided a transformative source of strength and clarity.

"Powerlifting has allowed me to connect with new friends, experience diverse perspectives, and find a renewed sense of purpose," Guo said.