80 athletes from 25 countries and regions have checked into the Paralympic Village in the Games' co-host city of Qingdao. The coastal city in east China boasts a completely barrier-free environment for disabled athletes, including some special individualized facilities.
 |
|
The coastal city in east China boasts a completely barrier-free environment for disabled athletes, including some special individualized facilities.?? |
As soon as the Olympics ended, the Qingdao Sailing Center was transformed into a barrier-free Paralympic venue. Security procedures at the entrance have been simplified to make it more convenient for disabled athletes.
Qi Mingxue, one disabled athlete said "I need to use crutches but they usually set the security alarm off, so they let me walk through the barrier-free path on the side and checked me by hand - making things easier for me."
Athletes with pacemakers or artificial limbs do not have to take off their equipment during the security check. Staff say they want to be as respectful as possible towards the athletes.
 |
|
The coastal city in east China boasts a completely barrier-free environment for disabled athletes, including some special individualized facilities. |
Special ramps with skidproof mats have also been set up beside the water to make access safe and easy for the athletes. Games staff and volunteers received full training to provide different services to the athletes according to their individual needs.
In order to make it easier for disabled journalists to report on the sailing events, changes have also been made to facilities at the media center. For example, desks for wheelchair users have been set up, and notice boards have been lowered.
All the athletes, coaches and officials taking part in Paralymic sailing events have now moved in to the village.
(CCTV September 6, 2008)
