Opening ceremony of the fourth Asian Para Games at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 22, 2023. /CMG
A giant golden osmanthus flower floated in the air and turned into a crown, marking the opening of the fourth Asian Para Games at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Sunday.
As the city flower of Hangzhou, the osmanthus was omnipresent during the ceremony, just like its fragrance spread throughout the city in October. Small blossoms converged into a huge plant created using augmented reality (AR) technology.
At the end of the ceremony, a torchbearer with disability used an intelligent bionic hand to light the flame.
Nearly 5,200 people from 44 countries and regions are participating in this year's Asian Para Games. Over 3,000 athletes will compete in 564 events across 22 sports during the Games. Meanwhile, over 1,550 technical officials and some 3,090 reporters will be attending the Games as well, making it the biggest Asian Para Games in history.
As the host, China will have 439 athletes in 397 events of all 22 sports. Wheelchair fencer Sun Gang and wheelchair basketball player Huang Xiaolian were chosen to bear the national flag for China at the opening ceremony.
The competitions of the Asian Para Games will happen in 19 venues across eight competition zones, of which 17 were used during the 19th Asian Games that ended on October 8.
Inspired by the slogan of this year's Asian Para Games, the theme of the opening ceremony was "Hearts Meet, Dreams Shine."
Sha Xiaolan, the lead director for both opening ceremonies, wanted Sunday's event to be a reflection of everyone overcoming difficulties to be a part of it. People with disability participated in every junction of the ceremony, from the athletes' parade to the artistic performances to the lighting of the flame.
The Asian Para Games will end on October 28.