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SCIO press conference on latest progress of 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games preparations and updates on Yanqing and Zhangjiakou competition zones

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The influence of disability sports has extended far beyond the sports itself, which is the same as the sports for able-bodied people. In the 16th Paralympic Games, the Chinese delegation ranked first in the number of gold medals as well as the total medals for five consecutive events. The 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games is approaching. What is the meaning of sports for people with disabilities? What effects does the preparation for the Winter Paralympics have on improving the condition for and developing the cause of people with disabilities? Thank you.

Yang Jinkui:

I will answer this question. Thank you for your question and your concern for the development of disability sports. Sport has special meanings and important functions for people with disabilities. First, it helps in the rehabilitation, treatment, and building of strong bodies. People with disabilities take part in sports since their rehabilitation treatment, and they can improve their health condition and physical performance through exercise, which is beneficial to their recovery.

Second, it helps them to break through limitations and overcoming obstacles. When playing sports, people with disabilities overcome their physical defects and physiological barriers with strong willpower, skills, and physical power, and thus display the creativity and value of humanity.

Third, it helps them to embrace a wider world. The sports activities help people with disabilities go out of hospital wards and their houses to embrace a wider world so that they can connect with others, feel the warmth of society, rebuild confidence in life, and join in social activities like able-bodied people.

Fourth, it helps them to influence and improve the society. People with disabilities demonstrate their ability by participating in sports activities. The spirit of unremitting self-improvement, optimism, and forging ahead influence and encourage society at large to better understand and care more about people with disabilities. Therefore, it helps to improve our civilization and build a more inclusive society.

As for the second question, I believe that hosting the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will help to improve the conditions and the development of the cause of people with disabilities in many aspects.

In terms of policy, all kinds of policy documents released to host the Winter Paralympics will serve as references for making beneficial and helpful policies for people with disabilities. In terms of infrastructure, the venues and facilities upgraded for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics can serve people with disabilities after the games and act as an example for how to improve the accessible environment of our cities. In terms of sports, more people with disabilities can know about, love, and participate in winter Paralympic sports, which demonstrates the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration, and equity, and advances the building of an inclusive society. In terms of cultivating talents through preparation work, China has systematically cultivated a number of internationalized professionals who are familiar with winter Paralympic sports, have gained a good command of games rules, and understand their operating mechanisms. That has laid a solid foundation for developing the winter Paralympic sports in an all-rounded way and to a higher level. In terms of cultural publicity, we should spread knowledge about the Winter Paralympics, arrange training about Paralympics knowledge and skills to help people with disabilities, organize volunteer services, and hold relevant cultural activities. In these ways, the public will know more about the Paralympic spirit and the principle of accessibility and inclusivity. They will care more about and give more support to rehabilitation, education, employment, health care, and social security of people with disabilities, which will greatly advance social progress.

In general, this Winter Paralympics will create a fine environment for people with disabilities to better participate in social activities. The legacies of the Winter Paralympics will push forward the improvement of the conditions for people with disabilities in a long-lasting way. We are confident of that. Thank you.