Over 7,000 competitors for Paralympic Games

Sarath Premathilake from Beijing

All arrangements have been finalised to conduct the 13th Paralympic Games which will commence with a colourful opening ceremony at the Birds Nest in Beijing, China this evening.

The Paralympic Games will be declared open by the chief guest and the President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao under the theme ‘One World One Dream’.

A record number of over seven thousand competitors from 148 countries will be vying for honours in this event which will be concluded on September 17.

All tickets have been sold out for the two hour opening ceremony and over 70,000 fans are expected to gather around the national stadium in addition to the millions of television viewers through the entire globe. The Olympic Torch is expected to reach the Chinese capital this evening after having started its journey from Tian Tian Temple on August 28.

Meanwhile the Manager of the Sri Lankan team Colonel Rajeewa Wickremasinghe said that the competitors are in a good frame of mind and are determined to make an impact at the games.

The Sri Lankan contingent will be captained by powerlifter Sandun Wasana Perera and also includes Shantha Kumara (200m, 400m and 800m), Udaya Pushpakumara (high jump) and Upali Rajakaruna (wheel chair tennis).

The events that will be worked off at this years paralympic games are archery, cycling, seven a side soccer, rifle shooting, volleyball, wheelchair rugby, track and field, rowing, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, boxing, judo, sailing, table tennis, wheelchair fencing and weight lifting.