Dutch coach praises ‘perfect’ facilities

The facilities at the Yanqing Paralympic Village and the National Alpine Skiing Centre are the best of the last three Games, said Netherlands coach Nicky Elsewaerd.

“I have been to Sochi and Pyeongchang, and these facilities by far are the best for the Paralympics,” said Elsewaerd, a day after his arrival in China.

Following the official opening of the Yanqing Paralympic Village on Feb 25, athletes from Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, China and other countries trained at the National Alpine Skiing Centre on Feb 26.

“The facilities are perfect. Everything is good and acceptable. We have big rooms and big bedrooms. They have special bedrooms for athletes with wheelchairs. Until now, it looks like your organizers in China did a good job,” said Elsewaerd.

He added that he also enjoyed the Chinese food in the Paralympic Village very much.

Asked about the Netherlands’ goals on the slopes at the upcoming Games, Elsewaerd was confident of Dutch success in Yanqing.

“I’m not going to say the number, but I’d be disappointed if we didn’t take a medal home,” he said.

The Beijing Paralympic Winter Games opened on March 4, with the Alpine skiing downhill events scheduled for March 5.