The suspense is almost non-existent. For two decades, the same script has been playing out: From Athens in 2004 to Beijing, London, Rio and Tokyo, China always wins the Paralympic Games. Over the last five editions, China has dominated the medal standings by a wide margin. In the Japanese capital in 2021, Chinese Paralympic athletes won 96 gold medals, over twice as many as the country in second place, Great Britain.
The post-Olympics scenario is also very familiar. China's official press will praise the country's achievements, presenting sport as a means of self-fulfilment and social integration for people with disabilities. Abroad, the People's Republic will be accused of showing an interest in people with disabilities solely when they can shine in international sport, all the while without sufficiently tackling the persistent discrimination faced by the 85 million Chinese people with disabilities.
To understand China's domination, we need to go north of Beijing to a vast complex not far from the capital's airport: China's parasport training center. After several weeks of consideration, the Chinese authorities agreed to open its doors to Le Monde ahead of the Paris Paralympic Games, which will be held from August 28 to September 8.
'Always outdo yourself'
The 23-hectare facility was inaugurated in 2007 to coincide with the first Olympic Games held on Chinese soil the following year. It is the world's largest preparation center for high-level athletes with disabilities. Athletes come here to prepare in the weeks leading up to the major events but train the rest of the year in some 30 other regional centers. The pyramid-like structure helps to support emerging talent and, therefore, a lot of medals.
On a hot July morning, Chinese athletes were busy preparing intensely. Wheelchair basketball players practised not far from other athletes immersed in weight training. On an outdoor field, archery champions were removing their arrows from targets. At the far end of an Olympic-size swimming pool, swimmers with one arm dived into the water from the starting blocks to fine-tune their technique. At its far end was a prominent red national flag with yellow stars. A banner urged them to "always outdo yourself, work hard, show courage." Another praised efforts for the recognition of parasports.
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