Paralympic pride

While the lion's share of publicity and glory surrounding the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will go to the athletes and China itself, handicapped athletes in the upcoming Paralympic Games are finding significant corporate support - some from a life insurance executive who has first-hand knowledge of the challenges they have overcome.

Dai Hao, chairman of Union Life, has donated 1 million yuan to help China's handicapped and 800,000 yuan of that will go to the Paralympic cheering group to be launched before the Paralympic Games in Beijing.

The group, composed of 40 people, will conduct a series of non-profit activities worldwide to publicize Paralympic sports until the Paralympics begin in Beijing on September 6, according to a press conference last week jointly held by the Chinese Paralympic Committee (CPC) and the China Commission of Promotion of Publicity for the Undertakings of Chinese Disabled Persons.

For his 1 million yuan contribution, Dai, who was once handicapped following a 2002 car accident which severely injured his back, was honored as a Paralympic charity ambassador.

"In the hospital, I saw many patients suffering back injuries who finally give up treatment because they couldn't afford the expensive fees," says Dai. "Just at that time, I also had the idea to run an insurance business and thought, 'In the future, I will try my best to help more handicapped people, especially the poor ones.'"

Xu Xinjian, chairman of Jiangsu Sunrain Solar Energy Corp, was also honored as a charity ambassador for his company's support.

Sunrain is a well-known company in the solar industry, with products that are exported to more than 80 countries. It's also the exclusive sponsor of the Paralympic cheering group.

"From now on, when a Sunrain water heater is sold, we will donate 5 yuan to help the handicapped," says Xu. "My company and the Paralympic cheering group will try our best to address the social concerns of the handicapped."

"China is the largest solar energy manufacturing and exporting country in the world, and occupies a 70 percent market share," says Luo Zhentao, director of the China Solar Thermal Application Industrial Alliance. "Solar energy is in line with the concept of a Green Olympics and Sunrain is the heavyweight in this industry. These factors make Sunrain a natural to be the excusive sponsor."

Those interested in supporting Sunrain's efforts can log on to its website at www.sunrain.com for further information of the Paralympic cheering group and a chance to be one of 40 people to win a free trip to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Paralympics.

Chinese torchbearer Jin Jing, a wheelchair-bound fencer who protected the Olympic flame during the Paris-leg of the torch relay, was named as the chief ambassador of the Paralympic cheering group.

"I just did what any patriotic Chinese would do when the Olympic torch was in danger. Actually, there are kinds of ways to support the Olympic Games, even a simple wish to cheer the athletes," Jin said on the kickoff ceremony.

"As the ambassador of the Paralympic cheering group, I passionately promote the unique spirit of the disabled athletes and try my best to spread humanitarian concepts. No matter who will become the members of the Paralympic cheering group, I'd like to be the first person to show appreciation to them," Jin added.

There are 600 million handicapped persons in the world and 83 million ones in China.

Yang Jinkui, the vice-president with the Chinese Paralympic Committee, says "Chinese sports teams first joined the Paralympic Games in 1984. The Paralympics is more than just sports. The strong-willed athletes are inspiring and encouraging more and more people whether they are handicapped or not."

(China Daily 05/12/2008 page8)