Hosting Winter Paralympics promotes China's sports of disabled people

Zhang Haidi (L), Chairperson of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), arrives for a press conference at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 27, 2015. Delegations from Beijing arrived in Malaysia for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session and the Winter Olympics 2022 host city announcement on July 31, 2015. [Photo/IC]

KUALA LUMPUR - Hosting the 2022 Winter Paralympics would promote the development of China's sports of disabled people, said Zhang Haidi, vice president of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bid Committee here on Monday.

"In China, We have 6800 registered athletes with disabilities take part in domestic and international competitions. What we really want to do is to give more opportunities to athletes with disabilities to take part in sports in China, also in international events to give them more international perspective," said Zhang, who is also the president of China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF).

Zhang, renowned as China's Helen Keller, also encouraged Chinese athletes with disabilities to challenge themselves, demonstrate their unique charisma and try their best in the games.

"I would like to tell you that I myself had taken part in an international competition for disabled people in 1994. The event was the women's 10-meter wheelchair air pistol. I will always remember the tough training of sports, but also the joy of achieving the result." added Zhang.

According to Zhang, there is a big gap between the development of winter sports for people with disabilities in China and that of developed countries. Since its debut show at the 2002 Winter Paralympics held in Salt Lake City, United States, Chinese Paralympic delegation has not won medals yet.

"But we indeed made some progress. In Sochi last year, we won the fourth place in the wheelchair curling, the best result for our athletes in Winter Paralympics," added Zhang.