The Winter Olympics barely over, place the Paralympics. Beijing, capital of China, is hosting the competition from March 4 to 13 in a very tense geopolitical context, due to the Russian offensive in Ukraine. The Chinese authorities must still deal with the threat of Covid-19 and the Games will be held in a health bubble.
Friday evening’s opening ceremony (1 p.m. in France) at the Olympic Stadium in Beijing, the famous “Bird’s Nest”, still directed by director Zhang Yimou (“Wives and Concubines”, “Live!”) is announced grand. But the Paralympics are caught in spite of themselves in the geopolitical explosion caused by the Ukrainian file.
Russian and Belarusian athletes allowed under neutral flag
Despite the conflict in Ukraine, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on Wednesday authorized Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Games under a neutral banner. Athletes from both countries will compete “under the Paralympic flag and will not appear on the medal table“, said the IPC. This does not change much for the Russians who were already forced to participate under the colors of the Russian Olympic Committee because of the sanctions aimed at Russia for doping.
The International Paralympic Committee also indicated on Wednesday that it would hold an extraordinary general assembly “during 2022“as a result of the Ukrainian crisis. A vote will take place”on whether to make observance of the Olympic Truce a condition of membership and on whether to terminate the membership of the Russian Paralympic Committee and the Belarusian Paralympic Committee”, he pointed out. “The IPC will not organize any demonstrations in Russia or Belarus until further notice.”
Ukrainian delegation arrived in Beijing
Despite fighting and shelling in their country, Ukrainian athletes have arrived safely in Beijing, the International Paralympic Committee has confirmed. “I am delighted to say that just a few hours ago the Ukrainian team, consisting of 20 athletes and nine guides, arrived safely in Beijing“, declared during a press conference Andrew Parsons, the president of the international organization.
Last week, the president conceded that “fBringing the team to Beijing will be a huge challenge“. During the 2018 edition in Pyeongchang, the Ukrainians had distinguished themselves with several podiums in skiing and biathlon. The delegation had won 22 medals (including seven gold) and finished sixth in the standings.
650 athletes from 49 countries, 19 French athletes
During this edition, Beijing is preparing to welcome some 650 athletes from 49 countries. Athletes will compete in six sports: biathlon, wheelchair curling, sledge hockey, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding.
The French delegation should be made up of 19 athletes, with the presence in alpine skiing of its star Marie Bochet. Like the Olympics last month, these 13th Paralympics will take place with a limited number of spectators, due to health restrictions.
The three main competition cities will again be Beijing and, in the mountains, Zhangjiakou, 120 km northwest of the Chinese capital, and Yanqing, 75 km northwest. Beijing will host ice sports (sledge hockey and curling), Zhangjiakou will host cross-country skiing, biathlon and snowboarding, and Yanqing will host alpine skiing events. Little exposed to the media, para-athletes will take advantage of these ten Paralympic days, where the weather should be milder than during the Olympic Games, with several days lag, to be highlighted.
Beijing, the first city to host the Summer and Winter Games
On this occasion, Beijing will become the first city in the world to host the Summer (2008) and Winter (2022) Paralympic Games. A difference all the same with the Olympic Games: the mascot will not be Bing Dwen Dwen, the famous costumed panda, but a “living lantern” named Shuey Rhon Rhon, a name that evokes the fusion of snow and heat. Although winter sports are still little practiced in China, they have experienced dazzling development in 10 years, with the construction of hundreds of ski resorts and ice rinks. Skiing or snowboarding has become a trendy activity.
Symbol of this enthusiasm, China obtained nine Olympic gold medals last month, exploding its previous record and overtaking the United States. Heavyweight of the summer Paralympics, the Asian giant is however struggling for those of winter. He got in history only one medal – in 2018 with gold in curling. But his delegation of 96 athletes hopes to do better at home.
Being disabled remains difficult in China, especially in the countryside. But the situation has improved since the 2008 Paralympics. The acceptance of disability by the general public has progressed, according to several studies. The infrastructure is also better, with the proliferation in recent years of access ramps for wheelchairs, adapted lifts and tactile paving on the ground for the visually impaired.
Our Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games file