Provision of disabled access to public transport systems in time for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games has been promised by the city.

"The building of obstacle-free facilities in the city is a key part of the preparation work for the 2008 Paralympic Games," said Tang Xiaoquan, executive vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad the day before the two-year countdown to the 13th Paralympic Games.

According to Tang, who is also vice-president and secretary-general of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, facilities for disabled people such as ramps are being installed at all entrances and exits to newly built subway stations. The refit of transport vehicles is already underway.

"Forty-six new subway entrances are being worked on right now and the renovation of old subway stations is under discussion," said Tang. "I believe in 2008 an obstacle-free transportation system will provide excellent services to all athletes and spectators."

As well as the transportation system appropriate facilities for disabled people are being provided at venues.

"Since 16 venues for the 2008 Olympic Games will also be used for the Paralympics disabled facilities are being installed during construction," said Tang. "Currently facilities are being installed in seven venues under construction and plans for the remaining nine are being researched and discussed."

The Beijing Paralympic Games will be held from September 6-17, 2008 and open 13 days after the 29th Olympic Games end on August 24.

With 20 sports it's the largest Paralympics in history. Eighteen competitions will be held in Beijing with sailing in Qingdao and equestrian events in Hong Kong. A total of 471 gold medals are being competed for. 

It's estimated that over 4,000 athletes and 2,500 coaches as well as officials from approximately 150 countries will participate in the Beijing Paralympics. The mascot for the event is being unveiled today to mark the start of the two-year countdown to the competition.

(China Daily September 6, 2006)