Wheelchair rugby opens with thrills

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 09-13-2008 08:57

Friday was the first day of the Wheelchair Rugby competition at the Paralympics. It was also the debut of the Chinese Paralympic team in the sport.

Friday was the first day of the Wheelchair Rugby competition at the Paralympics.

This is wheelchair rugby, a combination of basketball, handball and ice hockey. The object of the game is to carry a ball across the opposing team's goal line. Bumps and spills are unavoidable, but the players never stop.

The experienced US team is aiming to recapture the gold, while the Chinese team is simply hoping to gain some experience.

Wen Yan, coach of wheelchair rugby of China said "They used to be severely paralyzed patients, so I feel gratified for what they have achieved through training. Competition is not about medals, the important thing is they become optimistic and strong."

Han Guifei became paralyzed in a construction accident. Along with most of his teammates, he was selected from the Beijing Disabled Health Recovery Center.

Han Guifei, Chinese wheelchair rugby athlete said "As there is a big gap between our team and the US team, we are not thinking of winning. But the important thing for us is to try our very best to fight."

Coach Wang Yan says sporting has helped Han Guifei to recover. He can now do more by himself, like eating and getting into his wheelchair. The US coach shares her feeling.

James Gumbert, coach of USA wheelchair rugby team said "We are driven to smash the stereotypes that people put upon us, like you would never be able to do this. And once this game came along, it changed of all of our life. They found out that they could live a better life just as the result of sports, and it's incredible, they work hard, they want to be seen as athletes."

Veteran player Bryan Kirkland feels driven everyday by the need to succeed.

Bryan Kirkland, US wheelchair rugby athlete said "Our goal is gold, that's it. We have been waiting four years to get our gold medal back."

As the host nation, China received the opportunity to enter the competition, but it is the only team ranked below eighth in the world standings. But US players say China only suffers from a lack of experience.

These players are all living proof of the power of sports. Watching them in action, you can hardly believe they could do almost nothing for themselves before. Perhaps that's the goal of the Paralympics, to change the way of thiniing about sports for both the athletes and those who watch.

Editor:Xiong Qu