Lasting legacies, changing attitudes ensure society is the real winner

The curtain came down on the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics on Sunday, but the positive influence of the Games will continue to be felt by Chinese people with disabilities and society in general for decades to come.

One of the most immediate effects is expected to be wider participation in para winter sports.

"Young kids who have disabilities are now watching the Paralympics on TV and seeing people who look like them, and that's hugely important," said Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's chief brand and communications officer.

"We've got 15-year-olds here, we've got 16-year-olds on the podium. They're going to be inspiring younger kids, watching the Paralympic Winter Games now－who in four years could be competing at Milan Cortina (2026 Games) and winning a medal."

According to Zhao Weidong, a spokesperson for the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee (BOCOG), over 300,000 Chinese people with disabilities currently participate in winter sports－a huge increase on the 10,000 that took part when China initially began organizing these activities in 2016.

"The Beijing Paralympic Winter Games have produced and will continue to produce various legacies," said Zhao.

"I think these legacies will further promote the development of sports for persons with disabilities. With the increasing popularity of ice and snow sports, our next step is to further promote the development of winter sports nationwide."

The improvements in accessibility are also an important legacy.

According to BOCOG, about 336,000 sites have been adjusted for accessibility for persons with disabilities in Beijing over the past three years. About 12,000 buses have been upgraded to cater to wheelchair users, while 500 barrier-free taxis are also operating in the capital.

After the Winter Paralympics, these numbers will continue to grow across the nation.

"The city of Zhangjiakou, for instance, has been working on upgrading its barrier-free environment in public areas and transportation junctions," said Liu Xinghua, the director of Beijing 2022's legacy department.

"The city has newly built and renovated sidewalks for visually impaired people, totaling about 360 kilometers in length. The city also has 680 barrier-free toilets, 803 barrier-free parking spots and 100 barrier-free escalators."

Another key legacy of the Winter Paralympics is to promote the idea of inclusivity.

Beijing now has 666 so-called "Sweet Homes" for people with disabilities, where they can receive training and guidance on fitness, social services, learning new skills, and employment opportunities.

"The Games send this message of inclusion, that persons with disabilities can do whatever they want－if given the opportunity," said Andrew Parsons, the IPC president.

"We saw that at the 2008 Summer Games, and we noticed how opinions and perceptions of persons with disabilities changed in Chinese society.

"People will witness the power of Paralympic sports and they will grow with a more inclusive approach. In terms of changing attitudes in China, and given China has about 6 to 7 percent of the world's persons with disabilities, it's super important to have this message here and to be understood by Chinese society."

Yan Jiarong, a BOCOG spokesperson, stressed how the Games promote an "accessibility mindset".

"It is even more important and a more difficult task to remove conceptual barriers, which is the case all over the world," said Yan.

An 'accessibility mindset' is very simple: Every one of us has an understanding and tolerant heart, and truly respects, cares and helps friends with disabilities so that they can better integrate into society.

"It is strongly anticipated that the Beijing Winter Paralympics will help change society's attitude toward people with disabilities, encourage people to pay more attention to improving their lives, help them participate in society on an equal basis, obtain more and better employment, education and medical care opportunities, and improve their sense of security, well-being and happiness.

"We believe that the Beijing Winter Paralympics are not only a grand sports event but also a grand event that promotes the virtues of helping people with disabilities and social progress."