"We can't be too enthusiastic to give them our helping hands as the disabled people have a strong sense of independence, and they'd rather do things by themselves if they can manage," said Wang Xiaohan.

Ping Yali, China's first gold medalist in Paralympics, said the volunteers were there when she needed them, otherwise they seemed invisible. "I didn't even realize that they were around me and that's what a good volunteer should be like. Their service didn't make me feel bad," she said.

The service of the volunteers is "caring" and "intimate." That is how many of the athletes and sports officials described the volunteers, who became known for their "Be content! Be grateful!" catch phrases.

"Volunteers have learnt true spirit from the disabled, and it has nothing to do with the body imperfections at all," said Deng Yaping, Spokesperson for the Paralympic Village.

"I remember once the trainers had told us: it's not that we have helped the disabled, but they have helped us," said volunteer surnamed Qin, who hoped that such a volunteering experience would help purify his soul.