Having savored the afterglow of the vibrant Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, China is now gearing up for the next big event — the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games. "Shuey Rhon Rhon" took over from "Bing Dwen Dwen" to make the barrier-free facilitates accessible for Para athletes from all over the world who were ready to challenge their limits and fulfill their dreams in Beijing — the world's first "Dual Olympic City."

To hold a successful Winter Paralympic Games, it was crucial to ensure the health and safety of all participating parties and create a warm and comfortable "Athletes' Home." The whole preparation for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games adhered to the strategy of "simultaneous planning and implementation," from the renovation and construction of barrier-free facilities, to the use of intelligent equipment, and to the heartwarming services offered by volunteers... All these practical measures have made the para athletes feel free to make themselves at home.

People-Centered Barrier-Free Facilities

At the National Alpine Skiing Center, nicknamed "Snow Feiyan," the staff busied themselves preparing for the Paralympic Winter Games. Barrier-free passages, wooden boards and anti-skid pads had all been placed, and the Paralympic Symbol could be seen everywhere, fully representing the idea of people-centered services.

In the lounge's dining area, a beverage cabinet caught the attention of the reporter. Unusually, a variety of beverages on each shelf of the cabinet are in a seemingly disordered way. The working staff in the Center explained, "Only by placing all kinds of drinks on each layer of the shelf can athletes get whatever they want at any height whether standing up or sitting in a wheelchair."

According to statistics, at the National Alpine Skiing Center, 11 permanent or temporary barrier-free ramps have been set up, with 23 barrier-free elevators and 33 barrier-free toilets. In addition, draglifts covering 980 meters long were set up beside the racing track, and a magic carpet with a length of 115 meters and a net width of 1.2 meters was installed at the end of the competition venue to facilitate the wheelchair athletes moving among the lounge, training space and racing track.

"The operational teams are so professional that their work has guaranteed all the facilities can reach the standards of the Paralympic Winter Games," said Ileana Rodriguez, an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) expert on barrier-free accessibility, who came to the "Snow Feiyan" on February 22 and spoke highly of the venue operation teams.