China forms 500-member delegation for Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games
In short
China formed a 500-member delegation in Beijing on October 10 for the fifth Asian Para Games, scheduled for October 18–24 in Japan's Aichi-Nagoya. The team includes 312 athletes and will compete in 17 sports and 335 events, Chinese outlets reported.
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China's delegation for the fifth Asian Para Games was formally established in Beijing on October 10, Chinese outlets reported. The delegation has 500 members, including 312 athletes, and will attend the Games in Japan's Aichi-Nagoya from October 18 to 24. China plans to enter 17 sports and 335 events. The reports described the athlete contingent as China's largest for an Asian Para Games held outside the country. This will be China's fifth participation in the competition, according to China News Service, Jiemian and Xinhua. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
The athletes include 146 men and 166 women from 25 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, representing 13 ethnic groups. Their average age is about 28.8, with the oldest athlete aged 50 and the youngest 16. Xinhua said all the athletes are amateurs, coming from groups including workers, students, employees and freelancers. The Chinese Disabled Persons' Federation organised the delegation. Cheng Kai (程凯), chairman of the federation and of the Chinese Paralympic Committee, will head it, according to Xinhua and China News Service. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
The Games programme includes 18 sports, among them athletics, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair fencing, blind football, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball. More than 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are expected to take part, the reports said. China News Service separately reported on October 11 that Guangdong would contribute 47 members to China's delegation: 33 athletes, four competition assistants and 10 coaches or other team staff. Xinhua quoted delegation representatives saying they hoped the team's performances would encourage people with disabilities to participate in sport and fitness activities. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The reports describe this as China's largest athlete contingent for an Asian Para Games held outside the country. Xinhua said the athletes are amateurs drawn from groups including workers, students, employees and freelancers.
Key facts
- The 500-member delegation includes 312 athletes: 146 men and 166 women. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Athletes come from 25 provincial-level areas and 13 ethnic groups, with an average age of about 28.8 and an age range of 16 to 50. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- China will compete in 17 sports and 335 events at the October 18–24 Games. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Guangdong contributes 47 delegation members, including 33 athletes, four competition assistants and 10 coaches or other team staff. [ 6 ]