The host city for the recently concluded 16th Asian Games, part of the worldwide Olympic movement and governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), has begun its transformation into the host city for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games, scheduled for December 12-19.

Throughout Guangzhou, hundreds of workers are removing street banners and bus advertisements of the recently concluded Asian Games in favour of signage of the upcoming Asia Para Games which is governed by the Asian Paralympic Committee, under the patronage of the International Paralympic Committee and the National Paralympic Committee of China and organised by the Guangzhou Asian Para Games Organising Committee (GAPGOC).

Preparations for the Asian Para Games are already completed thanks to the organisers' commitment to staging an Asian Para Games as equally impressive as the 16th Asian Games.

Nineteen competition venues and seven training venues have been chosen for the Asian Para Games while decisions have been made on the sports events programme and competition schedules.

In July this year, test events were held for five sports of the Guangzhou Asian Para Games, including Goalball, Wheelchair Tennis, Boccia, Wheelchair Basketball and Para Table Tennis.

The Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games will be held in Guangzhou from December 12 to 19, 2010 and is expected to attract more than 3,000 athletes and 2,000 officials from 41 Asian countries and regions.

The Games will feature 19 sports, including Athletics, Swimming, Cycling, Rowing, Goalball, Football 5-a-Side, Judo, Bowling, Football 7-a-Side, Boccia, Volleyball (sitting), Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Tennis, Shooting, Archery, Powerlifting, Table Tennis and Badminton.

The Official Emblem of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games features a silhouette of an athlete in motion in three colours: red, green and blue. It represents the endeavours of athletes with a disability as they strive for success at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games and their determination to realise their personal goals. The design is inspired by a Xiguan Flower Window, a design element that can be found in traditional houses in Guangzhou.

Fun Fun, the Mascot of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games, is a lively blooming kapok flower. In Chinese, Fun Fun is used to describe a flower's fragrance - sweet and pleasant with a lovely aroma. Therefore, the Mascot is intended to convey the participants' joys and the host city's hospitality.

The slogan of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games - "We Cheer, We Share, We Win!" - conveys the message that the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games are set to become a thrilling and joyous sports and cultural event for all people of Asia, both physically challenged and able-bodied, and will advance people with disabilities throughout Asia.

Preparations for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games were completed simultaneously with the preparatory works for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, including the construction of disability-accessible facilities throughout the city and the promotion of special services for people with disabilities and humanist spirits.

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