Applying the finishing touches

More accessible seats and toilets have been installed at the "Ice Cube", and will remain there permanently. Accessible ramps will cater to not only athletes and referees, but also journalists with disabilities at the media stand.

At the National Alpine Skiing Center in Yanqing, specially designed cable cars will cater to the needs of athletes with lower limb deficiencies.

A total of 96 Chinese athletes will compete in all six sports－wheelchair curling, para ice hockey, para Alpine skiing, para snowboarding, para cross-country skiing and para biathlon.

A total of 736 athletes from all over the world will compete, with 39 medal events for men, 35 for women and four mixed events.

Speaking at the lighting ceremony for the Heritage Flame at Stoke Mandeville, England, on Monday, International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons said: "Beijing is the first ever city to host both the summer and winter editions of the Paralympic Games.

"I was fortunate to be in Beijing for the 2008 Games, and China set new standards for how Games could be delivered and create support structures to allow para athletes to reach their full potential."