China's preparations for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic. All competition venues, facilities and services have begun testing, one year ahead of the Games.

The Paralympics are scheduled to be staged between March 4 and 13 next year. Many believe that it's not just a spectator sport but an event to generate more awareness, support and access for people with disabilities.

"Based on the special needs of people with disabilities, we will undertake further tests before the Games and provide good support and services during the Games," said Zhang Haidi, executive president of Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games.

Zhang said that she's proud that she contributed to China's bid for the 2022 Winter Games in 2015 because the preparations for the event since then have brought big changes for people with disabilities.

"The promotions to protect the people with disabilities in China increase their chances of participation. And there are better and more advanced physical exercise facilities. Now, there are 45 such training centers for these people nationwide," she said.

Now, more sports activities are being organized and more facilities are being provided for a broader range of people, not just athletes.

And she stresses that a part of the preparations is to make sure the sports venues and host cities have better accessible facilities, and this will also bring more improvements in many other places.

Also, as the president of China Disabled Persons' Federation, Zhang calls for greater efforts and better care to increase participation and allow everyone to flourish through winter sports.