A year from today the Beijing Paralympics will begin and senior
officials from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are
pleased so far with preparations.
"Things are going very well. I mean, we are one year out, but
where we want to be," IPC Chief Executive Officer Xavier Gonzalez
said yesterday.
"The final year is the most important because all the details
and operations start to fall into place. We are very
satisfied."
He said he was confident concerns over traffic would be met.
"Beijing has a lot of traffic. That's a challenge always. But
the BOCOG (Beijing Olympic organizing committee) is planning to
ensure transportation between facilities and venues is as smooth as
possible," he said.
Gonzalez is attending the Chiefs de Mission seminar for the
Paralympics. The three-day seminar will conclude tomorrow.
The Beijing organizing committee will brief the national and
regional Paralympic committees on readiness for the Paralympics,
listen to their needs and seek suggestions for improvements.
Gonzalez said the BOCOG had already created many firsts in its
preparations for the 2008 Paralympics.
"The BOCOG is the first organizing committee to prepare and hold
both the Olympics and Paralympics under a framework agreement
between the International Olympic Committee and IPC.
"And, for the first time, a certain quota of participants at the
Beijing Paralympics will be granted a free international trip to
Beijing," Gonzalez said.
The Paralympics will be held from September 6 to September 17,
featuring 471 events across 20 disciplines.
Also yesterday, Beijing officials said the city will meet
requirements for a "barrier-free environment" providing disabled
access.
Cao Yuejin, a commission member of the Beijing municipal
commission of urban planning, said the city had been working for 22
years to achieve this target.
Barrier-free construction is ongoing and includes upgrading
projects at Olympic venues, surrounding areas, roads, traffic
areas, scenic spots, shopping malls, hospitals, post offices,
schools, parks, airports, railway stations and social welfare
facilities.
It is estimated more than 4,000 disabled athletes will attend
the 2008 Paralympics and half of them will be in wheelchairs.
(China Daily September 6, 2007)