Para athletes showcase abilities, sportsmanship

Organizers of China's 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games said the events will further advance the integration of disability initiatives across the mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

The two Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, will also help foster disability inclusion and showcase the resilience of people with disabilities in China, organizers said at the opening ceremony of the athletics competitions.

Li Yun, vice-governor of Guangdong province, said he hopes para athletes will perform at their best, demonstrate good sportsmanship and display their abilities during the Games, which are being held in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area until Monday.

Li attended the opening ceremony and presented awards to medalists.

Para athletes showcased their abilities and enjoyed the competition on the first day of the athletics events at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center in Guangzhou on Tuesday.

Jiang Yanhong of Guangdong said she was very happy just to stand on the field after winning the first gold medal of the athletics competition for the host team.

"To participate in the Games, I have prepared for more than two years, including more than half a year of closed training," she said.

Jiang said she is satisfied with the result in her debut at the Games and hopes to continue improving ahead of her next event, the women's 100m race in class T64.

Hu Yutao of Sichuan shared a heartfelt embrace with his wife Wang Wenjie after winning the men's 100m final in class T64. "I am so thankful for my wife's support and encouragement," Hu said.

Wang said Hu had trained for four years and that she feels he is the best.

Li Lu of Henan said the gold medal she won in the women's 400m final in class T47 was the best birthday gift she could receive.

The 31-year-old previously trained at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center in 2015 and won a gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil. She is also competing in the women's 100m and 200m.

Liu Cuiqing from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region said she cherishes every day of training and every competition she has the opportunity to take part in.

Liu said she overcame numerous challenges caused by injuries and advancing age to win the women's 100m title in class T11.