The Chinese Paralympic delegation leave for Paris from Beijing on August 21, 2024. Photo: VCG
The closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games was held on Sunday at the Stade de France. Just last month, the Chinese athletes achieved China's best-ever performance at overseas Olympic Games. When the public thought that Chinese sports had reached its peak, they found that this was just the beginning. The performance of Chinese athletes is even more brilliant at the Paris Paralympics, attracting the attention of the world. As of September 8, China has ranked top in the medal table, leaving the other countries far behind.
As a country with a large population, China has a huge number of people with disabilities. According to statistics released by National Bureau of Statistics of China, the total number of disabled people in China stands at 85.914 million, of which 17.355 million are physically disabled. China has always attached great importance to the wellbeing of disabled people, and has mobilized the resources of an entire society to facilitate this group, including in sports. For a group of disabled people with sports dreams, the Chinese sports department also provides them with many opportunities. The Paris Paralympics and various sports events in China for people with disabilities are all stages for them to show the spirit of Chinese disabled athletes.
China's lead in the Paris Paralympics also reflects China's comprehensive efforts to develop into a sports power. China not only emphasizes the sports of ordinary people, but also pays attention to the sports of people with disabilities.
In some popular sports events in Europe and the US with great commercial value, athletes can afford the high expenses of training relying on their own commercial value. However, many disabled athletes do not have such abundant resources and commercial support. This has resulted in many talented disabled athletes missing out on their dreams simply because they're short of favorable training conditions, coaching guidance and competition opportunities. China has a solution, providing these athletes with full national care and support as well as adequate training and competition guarantees.
The spirit of Chinese athletes with disabilities is not only displayed on the stage of sport events, but also in mass sports. In China, sports activities for persons with disabilities of all levels and types are flourishing. The vast majority of these athletes may not have the opportunity to stand on the podium of the Paris Paralympics, but they can feel the sense of honor and belonging brought by sports, and find like-minded friends through sports.
China's cause of mass sports for disabled people not only helps this group enhance their fitness, but also helps them better integrate into society. It is worth mentioning that all Chinese athletes participating in the Paris Paralympic Games are amateur athletes, many of whom are construction workers, farmers, students, civil servants. This clearly reflects the contribution of high-level mass sports among Chinese disabled athletes to the field of competitive sports.
Furthermore, the spirit of Chinese disabled athletes is also showcased on social media. For example, Wang Xiaomei is a girl who often posts her life on short video platforms. When she won the gold medal for Para cycling track in the women's C1-3 3000m individual pursuit at the Paris Paralympics and broke the world record, she posted a short video of herself standing on the podium and accepting the medal presented by Jackie Chan, one of the most famous actors in China.
Wang's story is a great source of encouragement for all people facing difficulties and challenges, and proves that through persistence and perseverance anyone can transcend themselves and reach new heights in life.
Among disabled people in China, there are many people like Wang Xiaomei who have great passion for sports. When their stories spread around the world through social media, they don't just tell the world China's story as a sports power, but also share with the world China's interpretation of the Olympic spirit.
The author is a sports scholar with Beijing University of Chemical Technology. [email protected]
