(ATR) Guangzhou is ready to host the best Asian Para Games in history, according to the Head of Communications for the International Paralympic Committee.
Craig Spence, the IPC's Head of Communications, currently on secondment to the Asian Para Games Organizing Committee, says from the moment he arrived in Guangzhou earlier this month, he has been convinced the Para Games will mirror the success of the Asian Games in November.
"The city has done a phenomenal job of branding the Games," he said. "You expect it when you arrive at the airport, and we were greeted by the volunteers in the official tracksuits. But on the 45 minute journey from the airport the amount of branding was mind-blowing.
"On every street, on every corner, people are reminded that the Games will be taking place from Sunday. I know this is called "the City of Flowers" but I have never seen so many. It is beautiful. "
Spence explained that Guangzhou will be hosting the biggest Paralympic event since the Beijing Games, and he is delighted that China has such a great opportunity to build on the legacy of that event.
"It is rare to have this situation, but we have been able to see that China is determined to carry on the work that was done in Beijing," he said. "It will continue next December when the IPC General Assembly will be held in Beijing. We have started something in China in terms of changing social attitudes."
He went on to praise the work done in the city in terms of improving access for disabled people in and around the venues, as well as in terms of the infrastructure.The IPC is delighted to see that barrier-free access has been implemented, countless ramps installed, and steps have been taken to enable visually impaired competitors to easily move through the city.
"A lot of work has been carried out since the end of the Asian Games with the key venues altered to improve access," he said. "In the athletes’ village, bathrooms have been changed. Given the size of the footprint of the Games it has been a huge job, and a lot of people have been working on it."
The Guangzhou Asian Para Games is the first to welcome athletes from across the whole continent, as well as being the first to run back to back with the Asian Games, and Spence said that the hope is this will continue in the future.
He also confirmed there will be an open door policy for events over the seven days, with competition taking place in 19 different sports. Not all areas of the larger stadiums will be open because the aim is to create concentrated sections of supporters.
"This is a chance for the people in Guangzhou to see the athletes who won gold in Beijing," he said. "There will be 2,500 competitors from 41 different countries, record figures for the Games.
"Many of them will be using this week as a stepping stone towards London 2012. They will get experience of a major championship and a test against the best in Asia."
The opening ceremony will be held in the main Aoti Stadium, scene of Liu Xiang’s Asian Games triumph, on Sunday night, and will end December 19.
With reporting from Matt Horn in Guangzhou.
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