Games breaking down the barriers

"Many disabled people are keen to go out and play sports, so it's up to us to deliver facilities that cater to their specific conditions," she said.

China's team of para-winter sports athletes are going all out to make their country proud at the Games.

As the reigning Olympic and world champion, China's wheelchair curling team will be in the spotlight trying to defend the country's first Winter Paralympic gold medal, won at the 2018 Games in South Korea.

Having already tested the home ice at Beijing's National Aquatics Center, members of the wheelchair curling team are committed to achieving new breakthroughs next year to help boost their sport's appeal.

"Training helps me unleash my potential, physically and mentally. I've become more outgoing and confident," said Zhang Mingliang, a member of the 12-player national team.

"Wheelchair curling is a mind game that helps us improve our intelligence, communication skills and mental stability. So, I think that it's a natural fit for people with disabilities."

Despite still being a relative newcomer to most of the snow-based para-sports, Chinese athletes' unwillingness to be left behind has been underlined by sitting-skiers' courage to hurtle down the steep slopes that surround Beijing.

"I still remember the first time I was on top of the mountain for a training session, my hands were shivering and my head went numb," said Liu Sitong, a member of China's para-alpine skiing team.

"Now I've grown skilled and experienced in enjoying the speed as I ski down the slopes. I'd like to let more disabled people know that they can also try skiing, no matter how scary it might seem at the beginning. Nothing should stop you from trying this exciting sport."