Breaking down barriers

Fully accessible venues for the 4th Asian Para Games are ready for action after a successful transition

The 19 competition venues for the 4th Asian Para Games are all set to accommodate the event's 564 medal events across 22 sports, said the event's organizers, following a smooth transitional operation from the successful Asian Games.

Seventeen of the competition venues at the Asian Para Games, which will take place from Oct 22 to 28 in Hangzhou, were used during the Asian Games.

All venues boast permanent barrier-free facilities. During the transition period, work entailed building and installing additional facilities in areas such as passageways, stands, award platforms, media conference rooms, and athletes' lounges, among others.

The whole transition was completed at all the competition venues on Oct 15, according to representatives of the organizing committee of the Asian Para Games.

From karate during the Asian Games to sitting volleyball during the Asian Para Games, the Linping Sports Centre Gymnasium has been transformed into a completely different competition venue in just one week.

Part of the renovation included the installation of a barrier-free pick-up and drop-off platform.

"Getting passengers on and off is the first step in the flow of athletes after arriving at the venue. We must ensure that from here on, there are no obstacles for athletes to move in and around the venue," said Fu Yuanqing, director of fixed facilities and accessibility with the center's venue operations team.

Storage areas for wheelchairs and prosthetic limb vehicles have also been set up around the venue.