By Tabitha Messick
After touring the impressive Paralympic Village on Monday, accredited Paralympics' photographer Robert Childs truly grasped the positive reactions that have been expressed about the facility.
" wouldn’t mind living here," he said.
The Paralympic Village is home for the athletes, officials and technical officials during the Paralympic Games of 2008.
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Deng Yaping, spokeswoman of the Beijing Paralympic Village, at a press conference.
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"We have only received half of guests (compared to Olympics), but the reduction in occupancy is not a reduction of workload,” said Deng Yaping, spokeswoman of the Beijing Paralympic Village, at a press conference at the Main Press Center for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
A total renovation, completed within 26 hours after the Olympic Games, transformed Olympic Village into the Paralympic Village including new ramps and platforms, widening of passageways and changing of signage.
Other smaller details were also taken into account. Heights of switches and hooks were lowered, speech commands were added to computers in the popular Internet café, and even the raincoat supply was increased to help athletes with a disability against the inconvenience of holding an umbrella.
Residents enjoy many things around the Paralympic Village. There is a bank, hair salon, photo center, post office, ATM, newsstand, flower shop, dry cleaning, culture shop and much more.
"It really is like a little city," Childs said as he walked around.
Childs was disappointed, however, that he did not get to see more of the residential portion of the Village. With a press pass he is only limited to certain areas.
"I understand about the privacy concerns, but I wish I could have taken more pictures of the other places, especially the jogging area and Peace Square," he said.
There is a jogging route, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, swimming pool and fitness center for the athletes on the premise. There is also a multi-faith center and entertainment center, along with a health clinic and Artificial Limb & Wheelchair Repair Center.
Village staff have meticulously made many provisions to meet all types of needs of disabled athletes. Only floors one to three are being used in the housing buildings.
Yaping said she has received many comments of praise and sincere gratitude. Athletes and other officials have constantly spoken of the kind and welcoming presence of the staff and volunteers.
Two athletes from a developing country were particularly moved after they were given new walking canes as gifts. They had previously been using wooden sticks as walking guides.
"Let’s appreciate and be grateful for what we have," one athlete said. This is a quote that has been especially inspirational for Yaping and the rest of the staff who emphasize that the athletes have made them feel the beauty of life.
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Paralympic Village
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(China.org.cn September 16, 2008)