体坛英语新闻：Transformation well underway from the Olympic to the Paralympic Games

LONDON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A huge transitional operation to make the Paralympic Games equally successful has been underway by LOCOG, the games organizers, announced here on Wednesday.

Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of LOCOG said: "The transition to what will be the largest Paralympic Games ever is a huge operation in a short time period. We are getting ready to welcome the world's Paralympians, and deliver a truly spectacular Paralympic Games."

All venues will see the look and signage refreshed, the flags of the nations revised, adjustments to broadcast requirements, and changes to field of play, as sports in each venue are slightly different.

The Athletes' Village has been transformed a place to host 4,280 Paralympic athletes, 3,500 team officials, 1,225 Games officials and 22 assistance dogs (there will be 1,800 wheelchair users in total).

Fourteen tonnes of workshop equipment and spare parts has also arrived for Ottobock's service provision for athletes, this includes a wheelchair repair center.

At the Royal Artillery Barracks, where the shooting competitions were held during the Olympics, elements of this transformation include a field of play lighting refocus, seating bowl modifications and enhancements to make it a combined Paralympic venue for shooting and archery.

The giant Olympic Rings which are currently in cities across the UK and in London have started coming down. The Agitos, symbol for the Paralympic Games will start appearing in London and cities in the UK over the next few days, with the first set launched in Cardiff last week.