China faces more challenge in London Paralympics

BEIJING - China will face more challenge in London 2012 Paralympics than in Beijing 2008, officials said here on Tuesday.

The Chinese Paralympic delegation announced its roster on Tuesday. The 414-member delegation includes 282 athletes from all walks of life, among whom 47 percent are Paralympic debutants.

"The members of the Chinese delegation shrink to 414 from 547 in last Games. That is because we will compete in 15 events rather than all 20 events in London," said Wang Naikun, the executive vice president of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF).

According to Wang, Paralympic host countries or regions can send athletes to all the events under IPC rules, while the others can win slots by meeting various sport-specific qualification criteria like placement at world championships and world rankings.

Jia Yong, the vice president of CDPF, said China hopes to remain in top three on the Paralympic medal table. China, which made its Paralympic debut in 1984, ranked first in both 2004 and 2008 Paralympic Games.

London Paralympic Games, scheduled to run from August 29 to September 9, is expected to draw more than 4,200 athletes from about 160 countries and regions.