Beijing Paralympic preparations given thumbs-up by inspectors

The preparations for the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics received a resounding thumbs-up from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) this week.

Organizers presented up-todate information about the Games to the IPC in a two-day meeting, which ended on Wednesday.

Ten themes were discussed including venue construction, sports and barrier-free facilities.

Zhang Jiandong, vice-mayor of Beijing and executive vice-president of the Beijing 2022 organizing committee, told IPC representatives that work on the foundation phase of the Games has been successfully completed.

“We will listen to the suggestions from the IPC, speed up venue and infrastructure construction, improve the sports organization and services, vigorously promote the Paralympic Games, work on the legacy project, and strengthen the barrier-free facilities construction,” Zhang said.

The IPC said it was pleased with the progress the organizing committee has made.

“Things are progressing very well in all areas relating to the Paralympic Winter Games,” said Xavier Gonzalez, the CEO of the IPC.

“As you did in 2008 (Summer Olympics), China is going to have a global impact on the Paralympic movement because we strongly believe that the rest of the world is seeing the commitment of the Chinese government, the Chinese people, and the organizing committee.”

The Paralympics will take place from March 4-13, 2022, after the completion of the Winter Olympics.