Day: September 8, 2024

As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games concluded on Sunday night, the world was left with unforgettable moments that will be cherished for years to come.

On the final day of this remarkable sporting event, Xinhua reflects on some of the most impactful and inspiring highlights that defined these Games.

A INNOVATIVE LIGHTING OF CAULDRON

One of the most captivating moments of the Paris Paralympic Games was the lighting of the cauldron during the spectacular opening ceremony on August 28. Set against the iconic backdrop of the Jardin des Tuileries, nestled in the heart of the Louvre and Tuileries National Estate, the torchbearers carried the flame to its final destination, marking the start of the Games in breathtaking fashion.

People gathered outside the Jardin des Tuileries every night during the Games to see the cauldron up close, with numerous vantage points offering views of its radiant glow from afar.

For the first time in Paralympic history, the main cauldron featured no real flame. Instead, the “flame”
witnessed by the audience was a stunning visual illusion created through an innovative blend of light and water mist. This groundbreaking design symbolized Paris’ commitment to sustainability and creativity, embodying the spirit of innovation that defined the Paris 2024 Games.

NEVER SAY NEVER

Nine-time Paralympian Sarah Storey from Britain, who already had 17 gold medals after Tokyo 2020, added two more in cycling in Paris, winning her fourth consecutive gold in the women’s C4-5 road race and her fifth title in the time trial.

“It’s amazing. Really amazing. It’s not sunk in at all. I’m just delighted that my wheel was in front at the finish,” said the 47-year-old. “This morning, the focus was just on doing the best race I possibly could and seeing what came out of it. Obviously, it was a win.”

Looking ahead, Storey hinted at possibly competing in Los Angeles 2028. “I need to enjoy this one first. But absolutely, never say never to anything. But this just needs to sink in. It was actually one of the most e
xciting races that we had. From the word go, it was full gas.”

APPLAUSE FOR ATHLETES DEFYING AGE

Fifty-year-old Japanese badminton player Hiroshi Murayama shed tears after winning a bronze medal in the men’s doubles WH1-WH2 event, while the audience gave him sustained applause until he left the court.

Murayama began playing badminton at the age of 38 and made his Paralympic debut at 47. The sport changed his life, and now he wants to use his influence to inspire more people with disabilities. He founded a para badminton club in Japan, hoping to raise awareness about the sport.

At 62, Gregory Reid was the oldest athlete at the Paris Paralympics. The para shooter made his debut at Rio 2016 and, despite the challenges of competing at an elite level as he ages, expressed pride in representing New Zealand on the prestigious Paralympic stage.

SWIMMER DECORATE WITH SEVEN GOLDS

Chinese swimmer Jiang Yuyan delivered a stellar performance, becoming the most decorated athlete at the Paris Paralympics with seven go
ld medals. She was also selected as one of the flag bearers for the Chinese delegation at the closing ceremony on Sunday.

Despite suffering from severe period pain on Friday, Jiang won her sixth gold in Paris in the women’s 400m freestyle S6 event.

“I know many people with disabilities would watch me competing, especially at the Paralympic Games. I really want to tell them that as long as you have dreams and try your best to pursue them, we will all be seen, and we will all shine,” she said.

HEARTWARMING REUNIONS

Four Ukrainian athletes, all raised in the same orphanage, were reunited with their former teacher at the Games. Badminton players Oksana Kozyna and Oleksandr Chyrkov, swimmer Anton Kol, and discus thrower Zoia Ovsii began their journeys to sporting excellence at an orphanage in Dnipro, Ukraine. Their childhood mentor, Svitlana Shabalina, traveled to Paris to cheer on the “kids” she had cared for as they competed for medals on the world stage.

In another touching reunion, 14 years after performi
ng life-saving surgery on Italian athlete Simone Barlaam, Paris-based orthopedic surgeon Professor Philippe Wicart attended the Games to watch his former patient pursue his third Paralympic title.

“I tell all my patients about him,” Wicart said. “Of course, I am proud of him. I feel so happy for him and proud to be the one he came to see a long time ago.”

CROSS-NATIONAL FRIENDSHIP

After winning her third consecutive gold in the women’s 67kg powerlifting event at the Paris Paralympics, Chinese powerlifter Tan Yujiao received an unexpected gift – a piece of clothing from 50-year-old Egyptian powerlifting icon Fatma Omar.

Tan and Omar have crossed paths at various competitions over the years, and their greetings have always been warm and genuine, gradually deepening their friendship.

Omar, who was part of Egypt’s delegation in Paris, was thrilled when Tan broke her own world record and claimed the title.

“She cares deeply about my training and life, always encouraging me to keep going. She told me, ‘I’ve c
ompeted in six Paralympic Games. This is your fourth. If you keep at it for two more, you’ll catch up with me,'” Tan shared. “She has always been sincere with me, and I truly value our friendship.”

ARCHER WITHOUT ARMS WIN GOLD

Trailblazer Matt Stutzman of the United States signed off his last Games in style at Paris 2024. Long a mentor and role model to aspiring athletes, he became the first archer without arms to win Paralympic gold.

Stutzman survived shootouts in the round of 16 and the semifinals, won his quarterfinal 143-142, and set a Paralympic record in the gold medal match to claim the men’s individual compound open title. His competition video has since gone viral.

“When I first started, I Googled it, ‘How to teach an armless man how to shoot a bow,’ because I didn’t know how to shoot a bow,” Stutzman said. “Yes, it got hard. Yes, it got difficult. But I fell in love with it so quickly because I realized for the first time in many, many years that it was a sport I could compete in against anyone
in the world and beat them.” Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the family and friends of poet, writer and political and cultural activist James Matthews.

Matthews, who was an Esteemed Member of the National Order of Ikamanga, passed away at the age of 95 in Cape Town over the weekend.

‘James Matthews’s voice will ring in our consciousness following his departure and we will remain captivated and inspired by the rage and elegance with which he articulated the stark struggles of the oppressed.

‘We will be comforted by the many works he has left for us to revisit and by our memories of his appearances at rallies, ghoembas, the frontlines of street protest and intimate circles of kindred creatives where, beret askew on his head, he would feed the souls and fighting spirit of those around him. May he now rest in peace,’ President Ramaphosa said.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde also conveyed his condolences.

‘As prolific and talented as James Matthews was, he was so much more than just a writer and poet; he was integr
al to the anti-apartheid movement, giving a powerful voice through his writing to the oppressed. He was an important part of our province and country’s artistic fabric. He will be sorely missed and his contribution rightly celebrated.

‘I extend the condolences of myself and our whole government to James’ family, friends, loved ones and all those who knew him. We celebrate him and the lives that he touched. We also know that he lives on through the many other artists he inspired,’ Winde said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

A group of representatives of U.S. travel agents, organized by Air China and China National Tourist Office (CNTO), departed from Los Angeles Sunday on a FAM (short for “familiarization”) trip for China.

“It will be good to experience it ourselves, so that we can tell our clients that China would be safe to go,” Joey Sy, a personal travel manager from Los Angeles-based Hyssop Travel, told Xinhua at Los Angeles International Airport.

Since China introduced a series of measures in 2023 to facilitate inbound tourism, including simplifying visa processes, expanding the list of visa-free countries, and expanding international flights, the country’s inbound tourism market has seen continuous growth, Wu Dawei, CNTO Los Angeles director said.

Wu added that this group is aimed at further increasing the travel from the United States to China and solidifying the outcomes of the 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit held in Xi’an in May.

The group will explore classic itinerary including Beijing, Xi’an, the Yangt
ze River cruises and Shanghai on this FAM trip that encompasses site inspections of accommodations, dining and tourist attractions. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Belgian driver Thierry Neuville of the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team emerged victorious at the historic EKO Acropolis Rally of Gods on Sunday, after navigating a grueling four-day course across central Greece, the Greek organizers announced.

Neuville’s teammates, Spanish driver Dani Sordo and Estonian Ott Tanak, secured second and third place respectively, completing Hyundai’s sweep of the podium.

With this victory, his second in recent years at the Greek rally, Neuville strengthens his lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC) standings. His main competitor for the title, French driver Sebastien Ogier of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team, was forced to withdraw from the rally during the final stage after a roll-over incident.

“I didn’t have the information that Seb rolled. When I saw Ogier’s car, I knew I just had to get the car back. I have to thank my team. The car worked perfectly all weekend,” Neuville said, according to organizers.

The Greek rally is renowned as one of the most challenging event
s on the world rally circuit, with drivers facing rough and rocky gravel roads.

This year’s event covered a total distance of 305.3 kilometers. Of the 70 crews that entered the rally, 52 managed to cross the finish line. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Amid a festive atmosphere of lights and music, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games came to a close on Sunday evening, honoring the para athletes who amazed audiences with their remarkable performances over the past 11 days.

Athletes and accompanying staff from nearly 170 National Paralympic Committees, including the Paralympic Refugee Team, participated in the closing ceremony at Stade de France, alongside 64,000 spectators.

During his speech at the closing ceremony, Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, urged the audience to stand and offer para athletes the “loudest, craziest, and longest” ovation.

“Every time you competed, more people joined the party. Every time you succeeded, the intensity grew…You changed how people see sport and how they see disability,” Estanguet said.

“You have launched this Paralympic revolution, and now there is no turning back,” he added.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons declared the official closing of the Paris 202
4 Paralympic Games, delivering a speech focused on “inclusion.” “The best Paralympic legacies are the ones that continue post-Games,” Parsons noted.

“Beyond 12 days of sport, we must break down the barriers that exist in society. We must enable and empower persons with disabilities to excel outside of the field of play, in education, in employment, in entertainment, in government, in civil society – everywhere!”

The flags of the participating nations and the Paralympic Refugee Team were paraded in, accompanied by a performance from the band of the Republican Guard.

Jiang Yuyan, who carried the flag for the Chinese delegation, emerged as the most decorated athlete of the Games, winning seven gold medals and setting two world records in para swimming. She was joined by her fellow athlete, Di Dongdong, who won gold and set a world record in the men’s long jump – T11 event in para athletics.

The six newly elected members of the IPC Athletes’ Council were introduced, including Chinese para powerlifter Tan Yuji
ao, elected by her peers from among the 1,800 athletes participating in the Games.

After a stunning breakdance performance symbolizing the power of inclusion, the Paralympic flag was lowered and handed from Paris’ mayor Anne Hidalgo to Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, as attention shifted to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

A para athlete carried the Paralympic flame into the stadium, where it was ceremoniously extinguished after a brief relay. Meanwhile, the cauldron above the Jardin des Tuileries was also extinguished.

As the Games officially concluded, the celebrations began in earnest. To the beats of France’s top DJs, people with and without disabilities danced together, turning the final night of the Games into a joyful celebration of inclusion.

A new era of inclusion is hoped to begin, as Parsons remarked, “What a Paralympic legacy this would be, not just for these athletes, but for the world’s 1.3 billion persons with disabilities that they represent.”

After 12 days of thrilling competition, China fin
ished atop the medal tally for the sixth consecutive Paralympic Games, with a total of 220 medals – 94 golds, 76 silvers, and 50 bronzes. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

The 39th Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon took place on Sunday, marking the largest half marathon event in Hungary since the COVID-19 pandemic.

With around 13,500 participants, the event symbolized a strong rebound in runner participation and the revival of sports tourism in the country.

This year’s race drew a significant international crowd, with runners from nearly 100 countries and regions, highlighting Budapest’s growing appeal as a destination for amateur runners worldwide.

The main event featured a 21.1 km race with 8,500 registrants, making it the largest half marathon in Hungary post-pandemic. Alongside the main race, over 4,000 participants joined other distances, including the Kometa Paros relay for two-person teams and the Xylem Trio relay for three-person teams. For those seeking shorter challenges, the 10km Szimpatika race and the 2.3km Wizz Air Lagymanyos loop provided additional options.

“We were thrilled to see the Hungarian running community emerge stronger than ever from the difficultie
s caused by the pandemic,” said Arpad Kocsis, CEO of the Budapest Sport Office.

Levente Szemerei of Hungary claimed victory in the men’s category, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:03:25. He was followed by fellow Hungarian Adam Lomb in second place, and Kenya’s Kennedy Kipkemoi in third.

In the women’s race, Nora Szabo of Hungary took first place with a time of 1:12:08, while Glorius Jepkirui of Hungary and Britain’s Ciara Boyd-Squires Long rounded out the podium. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency