Golden opportunity

What they say

"The efforts and sacrifices of all para-athletes deserve more attention and support, not just for the 10-day period during the Paralympics but also for the longer term throughout their careers. The focus on barrier-free facilities will help make real changes in communities and commercial sports facilities."

Yang Yang, retired Winter Olympic champion speed skater and chairwoman of Beijing 2022's athletes commission

"China is a latecomer to Paralympic winter sports. The arrival of the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games presents a great opportunity to boost the development of Paralympic winter sports in China. Through years of development, the number of Chinese Paralympic winter athletes has jumped from barely 50 to around 1,000."

Zhang Haidi, chairwoman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation

"From traveling to Beijing to our arrival (for the test events) and everything since then, the host has done an excellent job... We must make sure that we're in a safe environment, this is very important. At the end of the day, our athletes have to focus on their performance, and by feeling safe in the environment, they can then fully focus on the Games and their performance."

Kate Caithness, World Curling Federation president

"The Paralympic Winter Games are not only about competitive sports, they can also show a country's care and love for the disabled community. We have to show these values when the Paralympic Winter Games arrive next year."

Yang Jinkui, director of the Beijing 2022 organizing committee's Paralympic department

"For the Chinese wheelchair curling team, winning gold at the Pyeongchang Paralympics was a historic moment. Aiming for the highest podium at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games has been our priority in the past few years...We have a strong support team, including six research groups from many prestigious Chinese universities, to comprehensively support our athletes in terms of skills, health, mentality and nutrition."

Hu Junfu, deputy team leader of China's wheelchair curling team

"With the coming Winter Paralympics, I once again feel a familiar sense of determination. Only this time the feeling is even stronger. The pressure is also motivation. If we cannot handle this pressure, we cannot be outstanding athletes."

Wang Haitao, captain of China's wheelchair curling team