BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- China's Paralympics team is poised to emulate the feat their Summer Olympics contingent staged in Athens a month ago.

    China finished second in the gold medal count in the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games, its best ever show since it started competing in the Olympics in 1984.

    Leading the pack with 25 gold medals, China is way ahead in the gold medal tally on the sixth day of the ongoing Paralympic Games in Athens, which opened on September 17.

    A record 3,846 disabled athletes from 136 countries and regions are in Greece to show the world what they are capable of achieving, competing in 19 events.

    But the Chinese squad's exceptional performance so far has received scant coverage in the domestic media, in stark contrast to a frenzied showing in the Summer Olympic Games a month ago.

    This time round, the media seem to have no appetite for the ongoing Paralympic Games, which will end on 28 September.

    Chinese sports officials were then more concerned about media fervour than a lack of interest, fearing complacency.

    But now, it would be hard for you to sense from the media coverage that a grand world sports feast second only to the summer Olympic Games in its magnitude is being held at the same place that had received world-wide attention just one month ago.

    It is true that only a small segment of the public are interested in these Games. But although people with disabilities only make up a small part of the population -about 60 million in China - they can be a powerful source of inspiration for us.

    Disabled athletes show the same spirit that the Olympic movement always advocates - solidarity, respect, fair play, joy and friendship.

    Indeed, they should be cheered on even more loudly.

    For it has been tougher for them to get to the finals than their able-bodied counterparts.

    It is this unwavering will and perseverance in staging a better performance before and during the Games that embodies best what the Olympics is all about.

    The Chinese Paralympic team's shining performances so far in Athens, it is hoped, will not only bring glory to the nation but also attention to the Paralympics and themselves.

    But for this, the media have to play a part.

(China Daily)