The 2008 Beijing Paralympics provided a stage for excellent performances by disabled athletes from around the world, drawing a great deal of international attention, French media said Wednesday.

With their relentless efforts, some of the disabled athletes achieved results that could rival that of?able-bodied athletes, French sports daily L'Equipe said, adding that the wonderful performances of "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, South African amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit and Poland's Natalia Partyka among others even made people forget their physical disability.

Meanwhile, AFP said the Beijing Paralympics is the grandest in history as it drew the participation of over 4,000 athletes from some 150 countries and regions.

Aside from the unprecedented scale, the event will also be remembered for the hundreds of new records achieved, the AFP said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2008)