CRI听力：2008 Paralympic Games Kick Off in Beijing

Anchor: For the next 11 days, over 4,000 athletes from 147 countries and regions will showcase the spirit of constantly striving for transcendence, equality and integration in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games . They will prove that both disabled and able-bodied people are part of the same world and can work hand-in-hand to create a better future. Our reporter, Wu Jia, brings you a CRI special on the Games.

Reporter:

This is the moment that the Chinese have been looking forward to. This is the moment that the whole world will fix its eyes on. All those who are concerned about the disabled have been anticipating the start of the Beijing Paralympic Games.

The opening ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. Saturday and lasted about three hours. The cultural performance, which followed the entrance of the athletes, was divided into three segments: Journey of Space, Journey of Time, and Journey of Life. The performance incorporated the themes "one world, one dream" and "transcendence, integration, and equality." The performance expressed the idea that "all lives have value, dignity and dreams."

Distinguished guests and leaders from more than countries and regions attended the opening ceremony, along with over 90,000 spectators.

The cauldron at the National Stadium was lit with the Paralympic flame gathered on August 28th at the Temple of Heaven, a place where Chinese emperors offered sacrifices to heaven. The Paralympic torch toured 11 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across China from August 28th to September 6th.

Deng Pufang, Chairman of China Disabled Person's Federation, says he wishes the Paralympics all the best.

"The Games are a festival for all people across the world. They are a pageant in which people abandon discrimination and prejudice while promoting equality and harmony. Under the theme 'One World, One Dream,' we'll join people around the world in celebrating the peace, progress, friendship and humanism of society."

Philip Craven, Chairman of the International Paralympic Committee, says the Beijing Paralympics will be as splendid as the Beijing Olympic Games.

You're listening to CRI's special report on the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

Over 4,000 athletes from 147 countries and regions are taking part in the Beijing Paralympics, a record number in Paralympics history.(Www.hxen.net)

There are more than 600 million disabled people in the world. In China, there are 83 million. In order to provide them with information about the Games, the official website of Beijing Paralympics is offering a sign-language service – another first in the history of the Paralympics.

 

On August 30th, the memorial wall of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was erected in the Paralympic Village in Beijing. The convention is the first law drafted in the history of the United Nations to fully protect the rights of disabled people.

"Transcendence" is one of the core concepts of the Paralympics. It shows the determination to strive for one's best and the Olympic spirit of Faster, Higher and Stronger. It is a profound manifestation of Paralympians' strong wills and outstanding courage.

Li Duan is an athlete with the Chinese Paralympic delegation. He claimed two gold medals in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens.

"It has always been my dream to participate in the Paralympics. Although I have lost my sight, I'll never get lost in life. I'll never give up."

"Integration" is another key concept of the Beijing Paralympics. It embodies the harmony of nature, society and the universe.

For decades, China has been striving to take better care of its citizens who are physically disabled.

 

Zhao Chunluan is director of Beijing Disabled Persons' Federation.

"We've implemented a series of policies over the past few years to help protect the well-being of the disabled, ranging from social security, employment to social activities."

Zhao Chunluan says the Chinese government amended the Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons earlier this year. The National People's Congress, China's legislature, has also ratified the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a major international agreement recognizing the rights of the disabled.

Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei explains the significance of China's ratification of the international convention.

"It will greatly enhance people's awareness of disabled people's rights and help further protect their interests."

You're listening to CRI's special report on the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

Organizers of the Beijing Paralympics have made every effort to ensure that athletes enjoy the same conveniences as those who participated in the Olympic Games.

Elevators and bathrooms have been carefully renovated to meet disabled athletes' needs. A total of 550 meters of tactile pavement has been installed for visually impaired athletes. And an artificial limb and wheelchair repair center has been set up.

Viktor Cerpov is a wheelchair basketball player from Ukraine. This is his fourth Paralympics.

"I've had a chance to visit the competition venues. The facilities there are so user-friendly! I think these venues are the best I've ever seen. I feel lucky to be a part of the Beijing Games!"

The Beijing Paralympic Village has also been renovated to meet international standards. Facilities to ensure a barrier-free village include wheelchair ramps, tactile and accessible pavements, lower serving tables, enlarged passageways and an artificial limb repair center.

Joze Flere is an athlete from Slovenia.

"The service in the Beijing Paralympic Village is just fantastic! I'll rate the village five-star! You can't imagine how good it is until you are here in person."

Beijing has also introduced 17 special bus lanes, 400 obstacle-free buses and the country's first ever obstacle-free taxis. Many subway stations are now equipped with lifts or rising platforms for the disabled.

Li Caimao is an official with the Beijing municipal government.

"About 12,000 disabled people have applied to work as volunteers for the Beijing 2008 Olympics and Paralympics. Six hundred and eighty disabled people will perform in the opening ceremony and closing ceremony of the Paralympics. Many gifts for the Olympics and Paralympics are also made by the disabled. In a word, they have truly enjoyed being part of the event."

Wang Yan, who is confined to a wheelchair, is one of the torch bearers of the Beijing Paralympic Games. He has opened nine factories in Xi'an in northwest China and offered employment to more than 200 disabled people.

"The disabled people usually have a lot of difficulty getting medical treatment, education and employment. We want to find some practical solutions for them. We hope the disabled can solve these problems on their own."

China has sent its largest athletic delegation to the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Wang Xinxian, head of the delegation, says the Chinese athletes will strive to do their personal best in every event.

"They will try their best to achieve success in every event. Besides, the Paralympics is also a happy gathering. It provides a good opportunity for everyone to share the joy."

The Paralympics are not only a sports event for the disabled, but also a platform to fulfill their dreams. It is a stage where the spirit of transcendence, equality and integration and the theme of "One World, One Dream" is best demonstrated.

Wu Jia, CRI news.