On September 6, to mark the 15^th anniversary of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities and Beijing Olympic City Development Center entered into a strategic cooperation agreement. Director Yang Jinkui of the Administration, director Fu Xiaohui of Beijing Olympic City Development Center and deputy director Song Qiang of the Administration attended the signing ceremony. Dong Xuemo, deputy director of the Administration and Gao Yunchao, deputy director of the Center, each delivered a speech.

The signing ceremony

In his speech, Mr. Dong said that the signing of the agreement marked the beginning of a new round of cooperation between the two sides, and would have far-reaching impact on promoting the development of sports for persons with disabilities so as to better promote their social participation, integration and sharing of sports achievements. He believed that through concerted effort and the cooperation frameworks and mechanisms, the two sides would carry out extensive cooperation in promoting Olympic and Paralympic sports and the spirit of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, building an inclusive society for persons with disabilities, and promoting Olympic education among the youth, as well as sports and cultural exchanges, so as to better promote Para sports and allow persons with disabilities to better share the sports achievements.

Dong Xuemo speaking

In his speech, Gao Yunchao said that the Beijing 2008 Summer Paralympic Games and the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games left Para legacies for the city and played a unique role in the city’s development. Since its establishment, the Beijing Olympic City Development Center has always actively supported the development of the Paralympic Movement. The cooperation between the two sides would help carry forward the Paralympic spirit and the spirit of the Beijing 2022 Games, jointly inherit and make good use of  legacies of both the Summer and Winter Olympics in Beijing, and improve the health of persons with disabilities. It would also help to meet the people’s aspiration for a better life, build an inclusive society for persons with disabilities, raise public awareness of disability assistance, and promote social development in all respects.

Gao Yunchao speaking

At the signing ceremony, Fu Xiaohui, on behalf of Beijing Olympic City Development Center, presented souvenirs of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games to the representatives of the athletes who are going to participate in the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, inspiring them to shine in the field of play and win glory for the country.

Fu Xiaohui presenting souvenirs to Para athletes

During the past couple of years, the Beijing Olympic City Development Center has worked with the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities for many times. For instance, they co-hosted Olympic education activities among the youth, including the Five-Ring Medal Challenge, and have done a lot together in building the Beijing Olympic Museum and raising public awareness of disability inclusion. The signing of this strategic cooperation agreement will lay a solid foundation for them to strengthen communication and cooperation. The two sides will continue to “Carry on Olympic Spirit, Build a Better City,” make use of their respective resources and advantages, and jointly build a cooperation mechanism to advance strategic cooperation in promoting Para sports, Olympic education among the youth, Olympic and Paralympic sports, the spirit of Beijing 2008 and Beijing 2022 Games, disability inclusion, and sports and cultural exchanges. They will work together to promote the legacy of the Olympic/Paralympic Games, the sustainable use of the Olympic/Paralympic venues, Para sports activities, and disability inclusion. They will jointly build an Olympic education platform for the youth, advocate the spirit of Beijing 2008 and Beijing 2022 Games among young people and persons with disabilities, and promote the Summer and Winter Olympic culture.

The 2022 Five-Ring Medal Challenge

Olympic Memories