Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the International Paralympic Committee co-hosted the Orientation Seminar for the games Monday, Jan 25, 2016 in Beijing. (Photo/Xinhua)
Preparations for the 2022 Winter Paralympics Games are officially underway.
Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the International Paralympic Committee co-hosted the Orientation Seminar for the games Monday in Beijing.
IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez says the most important job for Beijing's Olympic organizers right now simply involves learning.
"This is the very initial stages of your organization. The organizing committee was created only a month ago, the fundamental priority now is to have this seminar and to learn more about the Paralympics Games and to start for now on to include all the plans of the Paralympics Games in the foundation face of the preparation of the games. "
Beijing successfully hosted the 2008 Paralympic Summer Games. Some of the venues used eight years ago will be used again in 2022.
Following the 2008 games, the city has been making efforts to integrate disabled persons into society.
Zhang Jiandong from the Beijing Organizing Committee says more will be done to improve facilities for the disabled.
"First, we will have a wholesale planning of the sports venues for the Paralympics Winger Games. Special arrangements will be made in order to make the venues better fit the needs for the sports of the disabled persons. Second, we will further push forward the development of sport for the disabled. Third, we will put more efforts in improving barrier-free facilities."
He reaffirmed Beijing's bid to make sure the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will be as 'fantastic, extraordinary and excellent' as the 2022 Olympic Winter Games."
In realizing the aim, the Games Organizers have promised closed cooperation with the IPC.
IPC Chairman Philip Craven says he has confidence that Beijing will present the world another extraordinary games.
"You know, when I think of Beijing, of course I think back of the amazing Paralympics Games in 2008 when China and Beijing raised the bar so high for those Paralympics Games. And I know you are capable and you must repeat a similar feat with the winter games in 2020."
The meeting was the first of its kind for Beijing's Organizing Committee, which was inaugurated on December 15.
