Beijing celebrates 100-day countdown to the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games

Athletes ready to shine

Three months ago, the Chinese Paralympic Delegation finished atop the medal tally at the Tokyo Paralympics, achieving fruitful results in both sports performance and spiritual style, while in a little more than three months, Chinese athletes will again compete in the Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing.

With the mentality of starting from scratch to prepare for Beijing 2022, the Chinese wheelchair curling team, who has been training behind closed doors, is a decorated team who won China's first Winter Paralympic gold medal at Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Paralympics, as well as two world titles at the 2019 and 2021 World Wheelchair Curling Championships.

Achievements are hard won, and it's even harder to strive for further honors. "In Pyeongchang, we were the ones to challenge the champions. But when we came off the podium, we became other teams' target," said Hu Junfeng, executive deputy team leader of the Chinese wheelchair curling team. "We have to train ourselves even harder to maintain our advantage."

"The other teams are very strong, both technically and tactically," said Wang Haitao, captain and a key player of the team. "In the next 100 days, I will watch more matches, train well and focus on improving my weaknesses."

Hoping to achieve the best possible results at home is the firm belief of all the Chinese Paralympic athletes as they enter the Beijing 2022 preparation cycle.

Despite finishing outside top 10 at the Pyeongchang Games, Sun Qi from Liaoning Province swept both of the banked slalom SB-LL2 races at the 2018 World Cup in the Netherlands, claiming China's first Para snowboarding gold medal in international events at age 19.

Facing the Paralympics in Beijing in 100 days' time, Sun's goal is to win a medal, adding "there will be pressure as I have won gold before but I will try my best."

After Beijing and Zhangjiakou won the bid in 2015 to host the 2022 Winter Games, not only the para athletes but hundreds and thousands disabled people have been encouraged to explore new possibilities of life through sports.

"The Paralympic Games is not only a sports competition, but more importantly a symbol of humanity, which shows how a country cares for and helps the disabled," noted Yang Jinkui, head of the Paralympics Department of Beijing 2022.

The Beijing Paralympic Winter Games will strive to influence and inspire people with the Olympic and Paralympic spirit, promoting an open and inclusive society.