Beijing organizers for the Paralympic Games have been keeping
their promises, concluded an International Paralympic Committee
(IPC) technical official during the International Goalball
Tournament in Beijing on Friday.
Jim Leask, technical official of the goalball committee of the
IPC, gave high marks on the Beijing Institute of Technology
Gymnasium, where the Paralympics test event is held.
"This is the best we've ever had. It is convenient, compact but
not crowded," he said.
The 21,900 square meters stadium has one main court and two
warm-up courts with a spectator capacity of 5,000. Located in
northwest Beijing, the stadium was rebuilt to add non-barrier
facilities to host the Paralympics goalball event as well as the
Olympic volleyball competition.
"There is not only tactile. They have gone with the trouble that
when there is a door there is a different pattern. When there is
crosspath there is a different pattern," Leask said.
"It is the right type of tactile for the blind and all of the
corners they put in huge efforts in making sure that the facility
accessible for the blind," he said.
"What I have learned from my time here is when Chinese say they
would do something they will do it. They will put the effort in and
they will do it right," he said.
"Everything has been done according to our requirements," he
added.
The goalball event here was this year's only test event for the
Paralympics. A wheelchair basketball competition will be held in
"Good Luck Beijing" test events series next year.
(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2007)