Paralympian ferries flame 100 days out

The Olympic torch relay continued its journey in Hefei, capital city of Anhui province, clasped in the safe hands of a three-time Paralympic table tennis champion during yesterday's ninth leg.

"Although I have only one leg, I will finish the most sacred 200 m-run in my life with all my heart," Liu Meili, the 25-year-old torchbearer who lost her left leg in a car accident at the age of 4, said.

Liu began to play table tennis when she was 11-years-old and quickly lost count of how many times her false leg made her bleed during long training sessions.

She has also lost count of how many prosthetic legs and ping pong balls she's worn out.

"Every time when I stood on the champion's podium and watched the national flag rising, I felt very proud. I have never been discouraged, although my body is different from other people," she said.

After winning two table tennis gold medals in the women's singles and women's team events at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games and a gold medal in the women's team event at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, Liu has every right to be confident.

During her career she won 45 gold, 20 silver and 15 bronze medals at various domestic and international competitions.

"I firmly believe that everyone can and should do his or her best in meeting with serious challenges in life," she said.

Today marks the 100-day countdown to the 13th Paralympic Games in Beijing from Sep 6 to 17.

It will welcome some 4,000 athletes from more than 150 countries and regions.

"Preparations involving venue construction, volunteer recruitment, opening ceremonies rehearsal and other aspects for the Beijing Paralympic Games are well in process," Tang Xiaoquan, executive vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, said at a recent press conference.

China has more than 2 million disabled athletes, including 1.5 million involved in the Paralympic Games, more than 500,000 in the Special Olympic World Games and 600,000 in the International Silent Games.

During the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, China bagged 63 gold medals and 141 medals, ranking first in both the gold and overall metal tally.

China will send its largest team to date to participate in all 20 sports this year.

A total of 330 Chinese athletes with disabilities have so far qualified for the Games.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/29/2008 page6)