2008 Summer Paralympics

The 2008 Summer Paralympic Games, the thirteenth Paralympics, took place in Beijing, China from September 6 to September 17, 2008. Mainland China fielded more athletes than any other country.

As with the 2008 Summer Olympics, equestrian events were held in Hong Kong and sailing events in Qingdao.

Over 4,200 athletes from 148 countries took part in the 2008 games. This was the largest ever number of nations at the Paralympics (twelve more than in Athens), and several countries competed for the first time.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Philip Craven declared the Games "the greatest Paralympic Games ever."

The torch relay of the 2008 Summer Paralympics started from Tian Tan (Temple of Heaven) on August 28. The flame then gathered before The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and followed two routes (the "Route of Ancient China" and the "Route of Modern China"). Both routes returned to Beijing on September 5, and the torch was flamed at the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony on September 6.

The pre-ceremony performance was a succession of various musical performances, ranging from military music to folk music and a performance of Ode to Joy. Following a countdown, a fireworks display signalled the beginning of the ceremony proper. The national flag of China was then raised, in accordance with usual protocol, and the national anthem of China performed.

Quick Facts:

Rowing made its first appearance in the Paralympics at these games.

The mascot was a cartoon cow named Fu Niu Lele, roughly meaning "Lucky Ox Happy"

The theme song, sung by well known and popular Cantonese singer Andy Lau was 'Flying with the Dream'.

The 2008 Paralympic Games slogan was the same as the 2008 Summer Olympics, "One World, One Dream".

Many of the world's weaker sporting nations also made their breakthroughs in Beijing. A record 76 countries and regions won medals, two more than the previous high in Athens in 2004, and several delegations won either their first-ever gold medal or first medal of any color.

Further Information Regarding 2008 Summer Paralympics

Paralympics Final Day 17 September 2008
The 2008 Beijing Paralympics closing ceremony will be held September 17, 2008 at 8:00 PM (Beijing Time). The directors of closing ceremony pledge the performances will be spectacular.

Results from Beijing China Paralympic Games 16 September 2008
News and results from the second last day of the 2008 Paralympic Games action in Beijing China.

Results Paralympics Beijing 15 September 2008
When the Olympics and Paralympics come to China, which has the most
Internet users in the world, they have earned unprecedented attention and popularity with the help of the Internet.

Paralympic Games Results Beijing China 14 September 2008
The British Paralympics team have been told that Rebecca Chin "no
longer fits into a recognized International Paralympic Committee class" after the 16-year-old saw her silver medal taken away in Beijing on Sunday.

Beijing China Paralympic Games Results 13 September 2008
"Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius won his second gold of the Paralympics Saturday to keep his triple sprint dream alive.

World Paralympic Results 12 September 2008
World Paralympic records have been smashed in the pool and on the track and the host nation China is rapidly pulling away at the lead of the medal tally.

Beijing Paralympic Results 11 September 2008
Officials with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic
Committee (SASCOC) Wednesday praised the excellent organization of the Beijing Paralympics.

Paralympic Games Results 10 September 2008
Forty-six medal events were contested Wednesday with 17 in track and field leading the way. Of the 12 medal events in swimming, Russia, Britain and the United States won two gold medals each. The other golds went to South Africa, New Zealand, Greece, Canada, Ukraine and Australia.

Paralympic Results 9 September 2008
Paralympic games 2008 results. Australia claimed five medals on the
third day of competition at the Beijing Paralympics, with Heath Francis winning the only gold in track and field.

Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Final Results
Final results and medal tally for 2008 Paralympic games in China.

Paralympic Games 2008 Changes Attitudes to Disabilities
More than 4,000 competitors from nearly 150 countries and regions are battling for 472 gold medals in 20 Paralympic sports at the
eye-catching venues used for the Olympics such as the "Bird's Nest" and the Water Cube.