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HOME > Ambassador's Events & Remarks
Ambassador Zheng Zeguang Attends Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics
2022-03-01 22:00

At Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Buckinghamshire, UK on the afternoon of February 28th local time, two British wheelchair curling athletes lit the cauldron at Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics. 

On behalf of  Cai Qi, President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. President of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons sent a video message, and Countess Howe, Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, and Anna Scott-Marshall, Director of Communications at British Paralympic Association spoke at the event. 

The event was attended by more than 150 representatives from various levels of the UK government, the International Paralympic Committee, the British Paralympic Committee, and Paralympic sport-related organizations, including Chloe Smith, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work at the Department for Work and Pensions, Zahir Mohammed, Chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council, Rob Wilson, Chairman of WheelPower,  and Eva Loeffler OBE,  the daughter of  Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann who is known as the ‘father of the Paralympics’, and journalists from the British and Chinese media.

In his speech, Ambassador Zheng said he was delighted to join the other guests at Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games for the Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics. The flame collected in Stoke Mandeville will be joined with the flames collected from eight different places in China to create the official flame for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games. This is a flame of courage, determination, inspiration and equality that will burn bright and light up the winter days. It will bring health, joy and vitality. This flame of courage, determination, inspiration and equality will burn bright and light up the winter days. For persons with disabilities from all corners of the world, it will ignite the confidence and courage inside and light up the way ahead.

Ambassador Zheng mentioned that in another three days, the flame will light up the Paralympic cauldron at China’s National Stadium, signaling the official opening of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games. This will be a call for Paralympic athletes from all over the world to come together under the Paralympic flag in pursuit of mankind’s eternal desire to challenge their limits, to better themselves and to live up to their passion for perfection and perseverance. The Chinese Government regards the health and safety of all participants a top priority. “We will make every effort to provide a sound competition environment for Paralympic athletes, and present to the world a streamlined, safe and splendid Paralympic event,” added the Ambassador.

In closing, Ambassador Zheng said Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games is a date with snow and ice, and a splendid opportunity to pursue a better future together. “We look forward to meeting you in Beijing, the ‘City of two Olympic games’. Under the flames of the Paralympics, let’s sing ode to life with our tenacious efforts, our care for health and our joint response to the pandemic. Let’s encourage everyone in the world to come together for a shared future,” said Ambassador Zheng.

President Parsons, Countess Howe and Ms Scott-Marshall said that the Paralympics has changed the lives of thousands of people around the world. They looked forward to enjoying the wonderful presentation of the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games and expressed their confidence that the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games will make contribution to the advancement of the international Paralympics and the cause of people with disabilities. The guests congratulated the Beijing Winter Olympic Games on the success and firmly believed that the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games will be just as exciting. 

During the ceremony, two short films, "I am the Fire" and "Moments from the Winter Paralympics", were screened. Local inclusive dance company Step Change Studios put on a dance performance and the Stoke Mandeville wheelchair rugby team gave a training demonstration. 


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