The first delegation to the Beijing Paralympic Games, the 78-member Ukrainian team, arrived in the Chinese capital early Thursday morning.

The delegation, which landed at the Capital International Airport at about 5:45 a.m. Thursday, spent less than 8 minutes clearing the customs, as the host opened a special passage and assigned 12 policemen to help facilitate the procedure.

With 16 wheelchaired members, the Ukrainian delegation consists of athletes who will compete in table tennis, wheelchair volleyball, swimming and weightlifting at the Beijing Paralympics, as well as some officials.

The ongoing Beijing Olympic Games entered its sixth competition day on Thursday. The 2008 Paralympic Games will start on Sept. 6, 13 days after the conclusion of the Beijing Olympic Games, and last to Sept. 17.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)