Chinese delegation contents with historic breakthrough at Beijing Paralympics

Source: Xinhua | 09-17-2008 14:15

BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese sports delegation has accomplished its goal at the Beijing Paralympic Games with fine sports performance and spirits, officials said here on Wednesday.

"Generally speaking, we have well accomplished our goal for the Games and lived up to the expectations of the Chinese people," said Jia Yong, deputy chef de mission of the Chinese delegation, at a press conference Wednesday morning.

"We have made historic breakthrough by finishing top at both the medal tally and the gold medal tally," he added.

Hours before the closing ceremony, the Chinese athletes have secured a top finish at the first Paralympic Games being held in China with 88 golds, 68 silvers and 52 bronzes.

Chinese officials would not reveal the amount of bonus for Chinese Paralympic medallists, underlining that the establishment and execution of a long-term encouragement system was more important.

"We should pay more attention to the long-term system that addresses the issues including rehabilitation, job hunting and higher education of Paralympic athletes," said Wang Xinxian, chef de mission of the Chinese delegation.

"We will try to make sure the Paralympic athletes have nothing to worry about when taking part in sports and are well taken care of in social security after retirement."

Having achieved great success at the Summer Paralympic Games, Chinese athletes will work hard to improve their performance at the Winter Paralympic Games.

"We have just started in winter Paralympic sports and will have a long way to go," Wang said.

Chinese athletes have never won a medal at any Winter Paralympic Games. The best finish for them at the Turin Winter Paralympic Games in 2004 was a seventh in the women's 15 kilometers cross country skiing.

Editor:Zhang Ning