Paralympics Opening Ceremony to be Rehearsed Tonight

The opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics will be rehearsed tonight (Sep 4th). About 6,000 actors and actresses, some who are disabled, will stage performances at the ceremony which lasts about two hours and 50 minutes. There will be no fireworks display held during the rehearsal. The 13th Paralympics are scheduled to open at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday in the National Stadium, known as the "Bird's Nest". Around 4,000 athletes from around the world will compete in 20 events at the Games which will run until September 17.

Paralympic Torch Relay in Luoyang Concludes

The Paralympic torch relay was in Luoyang today (Sep. 4th). Luoyang was the last stop on the "Ancient China" route of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Torch Relay. When the final torchbearer Liu Zhengwei, President of the Disabled Persons' Federation of Luoyang City, reached Longmen Square to light the cauldron at 8:45 a.m., it marked the end of the Torch Relay. The flame is heading for Beijing to continue its journey tomorrow.

Barrier-free Facilities Improve Accessibility in Beijing Airport

Beijing Capital International Airport has invested more than twelve million yuan (about 1.7 million US dollars) to improve barrier-free facilities and transportation, including widely deployed ramp and blind walkways, lower service desks and telephones and barrier-free toilets. The barrier-free airport provides greater accessibility for thousands of Paralympic family members on their arrival in Beijing.