PARALYMPICS /
News
Medalist or not, everybody is the champion
Xinhua
Updated: 2008-09-07 16:20
She then made many friends to share her happiness and sorrow. Four years ago, she got married and now the 41-year-old is mother of a lovely boy, whose tiny photo hang on her wheelchair. "I must cherish myself," she said, "there are always obstacles in life, but if you never stop trying, a more beautiful tomorrow will be awaiting."
Sweden's wheelchair basketball players hold up a banner reading: "Thank You, China" after they defeat Japan's team in the preliminaries at the Beijing Paralympics, Spetember 7, 2008. [sohu.com] |
I know well that to athletes like them, Paralympics is far from just a sports event and medals not always important.
Look, at the opening ceremony, those on wheelchairs were waving, and those who couldn't see were beaming, no matter which language they spoke and what colors their national flags bore.
Paralympics is a carnival to them all, for them to enjoy and build up confidence.
No, not just athletes.
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Olivier Donval (R) and John Saccomandi (L) of France compete in the men's individual pursuit (B&VI) cycling track competition at the Beijing Paralympic Games on September 7, 2008 in the Laoshan Velodrome. [Agencies]
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I saw the dance of a girl with one leg. The massive earthquake that jolted southwest China deprived her of the left leg, but not her dream of ballet. On the wheelchair, Li Yue in white skirt extended her arms, like a swan about to fly.
I heard the song of a singer in the darkness. "If I was blessed to see the world for three days, I want to see my dad, my mom and you, my dear audiences," said Yang Haitao in an emotional monologue afterwards.
Britain's Helen Freeman fights for the ball against Australia's Shelley Chaplin (12), Kylie Gauci (11) and Clare Burzynski (10) during their wheelchair basketball preliminaries Group A match at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, September 7, 2008. Australia won 59-30. [Agencies] |
I was touched by the performances of all the disabled artists at the Paralympic opening ceremony. Although some couldn't hear the cheers from spectators, some couldn't see the splendor of "Bird Nest", they played with extreme concentration and sincerity on a platform which they mounted for the first time, and maybe the only chance, in their entire lives.