Athletes village for Beijing Paralympics opens_English

Athletes of Chinese delegation walk through the Paralympic village in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2008. The Paralympic village officially opened to athletes from all over the world on Saturday for the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Athletes of Chinese delegation walk through the Paralympic village in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2008. The Paralympic village officially opened to athletes from all over the world on Saturday for the Beijing Paralympic Games.(Xinhua Photo)
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BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The athletes' village for the Beijing Paralympics opened on Sunday.

The village, which was transformed from the Olympic Village, will be home to more than 7,000 athletes and officials from 148 countries and regions during the Sept. 6-17 Games.

"We now welcome athletes from around the world to come to the Paralympics," said Chen Zhili, the mayor of the village.

Athletes of the Chinese delegation attend the opening ceremony of the Paralympic village in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2008. The Paralympic village officially opened to athletes from all over the world on Saturday for the Beijing Paralympic Games. (Xinhua Photo)
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Deng Yaping, the spokeswoman for the village, said that some of the facilities of the village have been adjusted to the needs of the Paralympic athletes.

"Tactile and accessible pavements as well as other facilities for people with disabilities are installed in public areas," said Deng.

"The serving tables were all lowered, the passageways were also enlarged to facilitate the access of athletes and wheelchair- traction services by golf carts are also available," she added.

The Chinese delegation was the first to check in and the delegations of Jamaica, Slovenia and Serbia were also expected to check in later in the day.

The 66-hectare village has 42 apartment buildings, shops as well as a hospital, bank and places of worship.

After the Paralympics, the apartments will be refitted and converted to housing for the public.