Hangzhou transforms venues as first matches of Asian Para Games commence

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.

Even the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport has been decked out with the Asian Para Games logo, emblem and mascot, as well as services to handle athletes’ arrivals and departures through October 30.

Athletes and spectators can now appreciate the organisers’ hard work in creating accessible venues, as the very first events commenced on Thursday with group matches of the wheelchair basketball tournament.

On the women’s side, Cambodia defeated Laos 65-35, Iran lost a brutal match to Japan 84-16 and China crushed Thailand 72-23. The hosts unsurprisingly won their first game in the men’s tournament as well, in an 83-34 defeat of the Philippines. Iran’s men’s team beat Afghanistan 91-33, while Japan won 92-25 over Kuwait.

The wheelchair basketball events continue on Friday with more group matches, alongside the first games of para badminton.

The opening ceremony marks the official start of the Games on Sunday, and the 564 events officially wrap up October 28. Hong Kong is looking to add to its total medal haul of 121, as athletes compete in everything from wheelchair fencing to swimming to boccia.