Published: Friday, 5th September, 2008 10:00
The PARALYMPIC VILLAGE
By Olympic Blogger
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It is simply astonishing to see how Beijing has been transformed from an Olympic City to A Paralympic one! Posters with images of Chinese disabled athletes are all over the Airport. Banners fly high and proud, and what an Airport! It is simply a massive statement of confidence and hope.
As well as the vast array of branding that has been done all over the city, it makes one proud to see how much the Chinese have done to embrace the desire of the Olympic Movement to profile the Paralympics. As you drive along the dedicated Olympic ( rebranded the Paralymic) lane on the motorway, you soon come face to face with the security fences which surround the Olympic Venues and the Olympic Village in particular. Standing to attention every 50 metres a solitary solidier under a sunshade watches impassivley but one sences proudly as the buses make their way into the Village itself.
The Village is impressive, compact and beautifully laid out, there are many formal and informal "gathering places" and squares all with beautiful gardens with groups of athletes sitting around laughing and relaxing with one another.
the attention to detail is evident in so many ways, colour coordinated gardens, each sector of the Village is entered by a Large and beautiful "gate" all of which have a different meaning.
At night the village takes on another image, subdued light along meandering pathways, they even have set in lights on the outside of the buildings reminiscent of a dado rail in a house.
Everyone is here now and you can feel the anticipation for tomorrows openining ceremony. I write this in the recreation centre in the village, free wi fi, games areas and chill out zones, there is no doubt this Village is of a higher standard that those that have gone before.
Most impressive today is the hundreds actually more like thousands of volunteers all dressed in paralympic shirts, who go out of their way to help and assist. I cant help but feel that the exposure of so many young people to other nations and to disability in particular can only have immeasurable benefits in the future.
From my first impressions, there appears to be a more relaxed and fun feeling in the village, perhaps due to the success of the Olympics so recently
ParalympicsGB seem in good heart. Danny Crates gold medalist in Athens in the 800 will carry the flag for us in tomorrows ceremony. He is a great ambassador for the sport and we all hope that he will be fit enough to run. He has had a long term injury which is still being tested .
Ive already met up with folks I met in Brazil last year at the IBSA world championships, that is one of the nicest things of all - the friendships across borders that form on these occasions.
Now we have all arrived, the scene is set for the Opening ceremony tomorrow
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