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Special>2008 Paralympic Games>Beijing Review Paralympic Special Reports
UPDATED: September-3-2008 Web Exclusive
Village Without Barriers
The efforts that the BOCOG made in transforming the Paralympic village with necessary adjustments from the original Olympic one were praised by athletes as well as officials
By CHEN RAN

THE "SHOCKED" MARKSMAN: The first impression that Sinisn Vidic of Serbia had on Beijing was 'shock' (WANG XIANG)

When Sinisn Vidic wandered in a wheelchair along the business and culture avenue at the northwestern part of the Beijing Paralympic Village, the sunset and gentle breeze made the Serbian marksman feel as free and easy as at home in Belgrade.

"The first word that came into my mind upon arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport four days ago was 'shock'," Vidic told Beijing Review with a big smile. "So did my peers on the delegation. Although we have a lot of 'made in China' things in Belgrade, such as clothes, bags and shoes; it's a real and fantastic experience here in Beijing, particularly for me, the first-time visitor.

"The city is clean and beautiful; the architecture is great; the people are nice; the food is delicious; and most importantly, the village is convenient for us--beside the residential zone, the business and culture avenue in the international zone is like a mini city center where you can go to supermarket, bank, post office, Internet cafe, tourist info, hair salon, and so forth, with ramp roads," said Vidic, who would like to tour around Beijing after finishing the competition in the men's 10m air rifle.

Vidic's view was echoed by Amalia Perez Vazquez, a three-time Paralympic powerlifter from Mexico, who won a silver medal in women's 48kg category at the Athens Games.

SERVICED WITH A SMILE: Amalia Perez Vazquez of Mexico in the village hair salon (WANG XIANG)

"This is the second time I'm here in Beijing; the first was in May this year. The city is different from time to time. As far as I can tell, it definitely changes for the better," said the Mexican who was having her hair dyed in the hair salon. "The competition in the women's 52kg category will be fierce because of the presence of the world's top powerlifters; I'm ready for that. But now, competition aside, I'd like to enjoy the hairdressing first."

Jane Wu, director of the hairdressing salon, told Beijing Review that the four rows of chairs in the working area during the Olympic Games have been replaced by three wide aisles to cater for wheelchair users; the height of wash basins have been readjusted as well.

The 66-hectare village has 42 apartment buildings, shops as well as a hospital, bank and places of worship.

According to Deng Yaping, spokeswoman for the village, facilities for Paralympians including more than 170 special ramps for wheelchairs, tactile and accessible pavements, have been installed in the eight public areas inside the village. The serving tables were all 10 cm lower than before; the passageways enlarged; an artificial limb repair center was put into service, which is opened until 11 p.m.; athletes in wheelchairs can also maneuver around the village using specially designed golf carts that can accommodate them, a service available since the day the village officially opened on August 30.

The efforts that the Beijing organizing committee made in transforming the Paralympic village with necessary adjustments from the original Olympic one were praised by Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee.

"I can't say the Games is the best ever at the moment. Maybe I will do, maybe I won't. But the Paralympians are all excited about being here, about being in a wonderful Paralympic Village. We've got the very best accommodation, the very best food, and good transport. The village over there is most certainly the best ever," Sir Craven told the press Tuesday night, adding that he was so pleased that he felt "over the moon."


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