(BEIJING, March 20) -- Mr. Joaquim Viegas, technical delegate of the
International Boccia Committee (IBC) said he was "very satisfied" with the
current preparatory work for next summer's Paralympic Games.
Viegas made the remarks here on Tuesday after signing a Memorandum of
Understanding with BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of
the XXIX Olympiad), covering a wide range of critical Paralympic Games issues,
including competition and training venues, the events and disciplines, numbers of athletes
and competition schedules.
Earlier, Mr. Ren Chunhui, Boccia Competition Director made a substantial
presentation to the visitors, outlining the numerous Paralympic organizations,
including the competition schedule, the venue, venue operations, the Paralympics
Village, "Good Luck Beijing" sports events and the match equipment. Viegas held
discussions with the staff of various BOCOG departments and reached agreement on
the related issues.
He said that all the preparatory staff here in Beijing are completely
dedicated, very interested in the event and the sport of Boccia and have the
confidence to make the Paralympics a success and the Boccia competition the best
ever.
Mr. Viegas highlighted the exciting opportunities for fans attending Boccia
events for the first time in China. In order to hold a successful Paralympics,
not only will BOCOG meet and exceed the needs of the Paralympian and we are
confident that Boccia will be widely promoted throughout the nation, he
said.
Boccia is a very special Paralympics event, for the athletes are afflicted
with cerebral palsy, severe physical dysfunction or physically handicapped, Mr.
Viegas added.
He explained that the event is open to cerebral palsy and severe physical
dysfunction or physically handicapped athletes, who have few chances to compete
in sports normally. Boccia competitors need to think and reach a fairly high
athletic level, which includes individual and group competitions.
For those athletes, who haven't had many chances to compete in athletics,
their involvement in Boccia will not only keep them active but strengthen their
confidence, said Mr. Viegas.
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