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China's National Paralympic Games and National Special Olympics open
Updated 17:08, 23-Oct-2021
CGTN
01:41

The 11th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 8th National Special Olympics Games officially opened on Friday in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. 

It is the first time the two games will be held in the same city as the National Games of China in the same year.

A total of 4,484 athletes will participate in the Games, featuring 43 sports and 47 events that run until October 29. 

Teachers and students of Xi'an No. 2 School for Deafmutes perform the National Anthem of the People's Republic of China at the opening ceremony of the 11th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 8th National Special Olympic Games of the People's Republic of China, marking the debut of the country's national anthem in sign language in a major national sports event. /CGTN

Teachers and students of Xi'an No. 2 School for Deafmutes perform the National Anthem of the People's Republic of China at the opening ceremony of the 11th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 8th National Special Olympic Games of the People's Republic of China, marking the debut of the country's national anthem in sign language in a major national sports event. /CGTN

Shaanxi Province is the main location for more than half of the events as well as the opening and closing ceremonies, while the rest of the events are held across the country to make it more accessible to athletes nationwide. 

Several sports started prior to the official opening, with curling and weightlifting events held in Beijing from April to May, and sports including taekwondo, fencing, canoe, archery, and others unfolding since October 10. 

Xia Boyu, the first double leg amputee to climb Mount Qomolangma, holds China's National Flag as he's surrounded by stage performers during the opening ceremony. /CGTN

Xia Boyu, the first double leg amputee to climb Mount Qomolangma, holds China's National Flag as he's surrounded by stage performers during the opening ceremony. /CGTN

This edition of the Games is the first time ever in its history to design archery competitions for those with impaired sights, with 48 athletes competing in three groups based on the levels of their eye sights.

The wheelchair basketball finals witnessed Team Guangdong take top spots on the podium in both women's and men's categories. 

Both veterans and first-timers are shining on the stage this year. As China's Paralympians prepare for the event after coming back from Tokyo, debutants such as 22-year-old Liu Tingting also geared up for the quadrennial event. 

Performers put on a show at the opening ceremony of the National Games for the disabled. With the slogan, "Light up your dreams, set sail for love" and the concept of "equality, participation, sharing and integration" for people with disabilities, the Games feature 43 sports and 1,723 events. /CGTN

Performers put on a show at the opening ceremony of the National Games for the disabled. With the slogan, "Light up your dreams, set sail for love" and the concept of "equality, participation, sharing and integration" for people with disabilities, the Games feature 43 sports and 1,723 events. /CGTN

Liu claimed the title in women's 49kg K42 category of taekwondo in her first ever campaign at the Games, after training for this event for only one year, before which she played table tennis. As a college student, Liu said she would balance school and sports, as she is still young and wants to learn more knowledge.

In September, Team China topped both the gold and total medals leaderboard with 96 gold, 60 silver and 51 bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 

(CGTN's Dai Kaiyi has contributed to this story.)

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