Hangzhou transforms venues for Asian Para Games, as wheelchair basketball matches mark the start of competition
- Organisers transform Asian Games venues with elements including barrier-free showers and washrooms, guide dog rest areas, lifts and tactile paving
- China start off strong in first matches of the Games, defeating Thailand 72-23 in women’s wheelchair basketball, while the men beat Philippines 83-34
With the opening ceremony days away, the city of Hangzhou has smoothly transitioned from the Asian Games to the Asian Para Games, as the first day of competition kicked off on Thursday.
The 4th Asian Para Games will showcase 22 sports across 19 competition venues, with each containing barrier-free facilities. After the Asian Games ended, crews installed additional accommodation in the stands, corridors, press conference rooms, athletes’ lounges and for the award ceremonies.
At the Xiaoshan Sports Center Gymnasium, staff replaced the weightlifting platform used during the Asian Games with equipment for the powerlifting athletes in the Para Games.
“We have been preparing for these [Asian Para] Games for three years, including the platform, ramp and podium for the award ceremony, which are different from those at the Asian Games,” Guo Qinghong, deputy director of the powerlifting competition, said.
At China’s national goalball training base in Hangzhou, visually impaired athletes can now safely navigate with tactile paving extending from the foyer to each room in the competition area. Barrier-free options have been installed in shower rooms, changing rooms and washrooms, and a guide dog rest area is available just outside the venue. For audience members, each side of the stands are equipped with a lift.
Workers have repurposed the Asian Games’ Media Village into the Asian Para Games Village, complete with nearly 3,500 rooms for athletes along with 30 shuttles offering around-the-clock transportation.
