Beijing Olympics 2008

Wang Yanju cannot watch the Beijing Games. Nor can she read about them.
Rather than being excluded from the biggest sporting event ever held in her homeland, however, Wang is one of 10 blind masseurs who will be called into action this summer as Beijing pools all its resources to host a “people’s Olympics” and the best Games yet.
“I want to take this opportunity to show that disabled people don’t just sit around waiting for society to give them handouts,” said the newly conscripted Olympic volunteer. “We can also contribute.”
Chinese athletes topped the gold-medal count at the last Paralympics in Athens four years ago. This year, representatives of the country’s 91-million disabled population want to show that they are just as capable off the sports field as they are on it. The Beijing Paralympics trail the August 8-24 Olympics by roughly one month.
“It is an honor to participate in the Games on behalf of the 60,000 blind people living in Beijing,” said Wang, 26.
Preparations for the Games have spurred a barrier-free overhaul of public facilities in the capital. International Paralympic Committee officials have described the Olympic venues and Olympic Village - which will later be used by Paralympic athletes - as the best in Olympic history.
Some 90 percent of the Olympic venues, accredited hotels, hospitals, supermarkets and department stores in key business districts will be equipped with ramps, elevators and other facilities before August.
“With these user-friendly facilities, we (disabled people) can get much more involved in society than before and do the same things as regular people,” said Wang Yuhua at a Paralympic volunteer training program. Wang suffers from infantile paralysis.
Of the 500 blind masseurs in Beijing who have applied to join the program this year, 10 have been selected. Most are studying English to provide a better service.
According to some, the Games are already exploding popular misconceptions about the disabled.
“This is a great chance for us to interact with people with disabilities,” said Zhao Rong, a student at Beijing Normal University who hopes to serve as a Paralympic volunteer. “I have been truly moved by their tenacity and optimism.”
Zhao Jihua, BOCOG’s senior volunteer training advisor, said the success of the Beijing Paralympics will boil down to individuals.
“Everybody should do their bit to care for and aid people with disabilities. This will be the foundation for a successful Games.”

from: chinadaily.com.cn