French Federation of Disability Sport chief lauds Beijing Paralympics
12/9/2008 17:33
The ongoing Beijing Paralympics is as brilliant as the Olympics that was
wrapped up last month, head of the French Federation of Disability Sport said
yesterday.
"It has surpassed the previous five Paralympics I had attended, "
Gerard Masson told Xinhua.
Masson said he had attended Paralympics in Seoul,
Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney and Athens. He found the biggest difference of the
current Paralympics with the previous ones is that it is as superb as the
Olympiad held in the same place.
Masson said the Paralympics is by no means
"a little brother" subordinate to the Olympics. Rather it is the second largest
sports event in the world in terms of the number of participating athletes, he
added.
He said he was impressed by the Beijing Paralympics, which has "the
logistic support, equally beautiful stadium, cheering audience and excellent
services from volunteers" similar to the Olympics.
He also observed
remarkable progress of the disabled athletes in many countries, which he said
has posed new challenges to French athletes who once enjoyed advantages in some
events.
Masson said what impressed him most was the opening ceremony, which
was "touching and profoundly symbolic," demonstrating to the world the
humanitarian spirit, he said.
Xinhua
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