IPC president says Beijing Paralympics deliver 'powerful message of inclusion'

Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, believes the coming Winter Paralympics will be a source of inspiration worldwide－and not just to people with disabilities.

"I think the athletes at the Paralympics will send the message of inclusion. And it's so powerful. It affects different people in different ways," Parsons told China Daily in an exclusive interview in Beijing on Wednesday.

"We want everyone to believe, to understand that persons with disability can do whatever they want, if given the opportunity. So it's about giving the opportunity in sports and employment.

"Persons with disability must be active. And if a blind skier can come downhill at more than 100 kilometers per hour, the same blind person can do whatever he or she wants to do－if given the right conditions to do it."

Featuring six sports and 78 events, the Beijing Paralympics will kick off on Friday across three competition zones－downtown Beijing, the capital's northwest Yanqing district and co-host Zhangjiakou, Hebei province.

With the success of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics last month, the IPC president is confident in the smooth operation of the Paralympic Games.

"My expectations are really high, as we have seen the Olympic Winter Games that were really successful. And above all, they were safe Games," Parsons added.

"That provides an environment in which the athletes can focus on competing and training, and leave great performances on the field of play. And this is what we expect also for the Paralympics."

To guarantee the safety of all participants and local residents of the host cities, Beijing 2022 organizers implemented a closed-loop system, which proved to be highly effective during the Winter Olympics.

The same system, which features regular COVID-19 testing, will be used during the Paralympics to prevent the transmission of the virus.

"It was proven to be very efficient during the Olympics. We hope it will still be the case during the Paralympics. We have seen in the last few days, a very low number of cases. It's working. And this is so important because we provide to the athletes a safe environment," said Parsons.

Speaking to Xinhua last month in Beijing, Parsons hailed China's organizational abilities, saying: "It is a huge success to be in probably the safest place on Earth during the Paralympic Games. We are very excited to see the fantastic Olympic Games, and China and Beijing 2022 will have the capacity for the Paralympic Games as well."

The IPC president has been coming to China since 2005, and witnessed the success of the 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympics.

He told China Daily that he observed how China has developed since then, and how the 2008 edition of the Paralympics had influenced future Games.

"The Beijing 2008 Games defined the subsequent editions of the Summer Paralympic Games. If you compare Athens to Beijing, it is another level of Games. And then we have very successful editions like London, Rio and Tokyo. So we want this to be the same on the winter side, so that from Beijing 2022, the Paralympic Winter Games can get to a new level," Parsons added.

Meanwhile, the torch relay began on Wednesday and will conclude at the opening ceremony at the National Stadium on Friday.

The relay will cross the three competition zones and feature a total of 565 torchbearers, among which around one-fifth are people with disabilities.

The first of nine flames was lit in the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement－Stoke Mandeville, England－on Monday.

The relay features some highly creative elements, including disabled torchbearers using robot exoskeletons to help them on their leg of the journey.

Parsons believes the relay showcases the values of the Paralympics.

"I really like the Paralympic torch relay. I think it's a great journey from Stoke Mandeville to Beijing. I would really like to attend it, and be part of it. It's nice when you can interact with the people of the city," said Parsons.

"Although we are in the closed loop because of the pandemic, to me it's a very special feeling. I really enjoy being part of it."

Mascot Bing Dwen Dwen proved to be one of the biggest hits of the Winter Olympics, with the cuddly toy flying off the shelves and trending on social media.

The mascot of the Paralympics, Shuey Rhon Rhon－a red lantern-styled childlike character－is enjoying similar popularity. Parsons is sure it will help attract more people to Paralympic winter sports.

"I really like the red lantern mascot, it incorporates many clever elements. The Olympic mascot was successful, especially among children," said Parsons.

"We have seen here whenever the stores open, people line up to buy the mascot. And I think this one is really good too. It connects people to the host nation."