WITH around 100 days to go before the opening of the Paralympic Winter Games, a firm confidence has been laid that all participants will enjoy a barrier-free tournament in Beijing, which stems from the recent World Wheelchair Curling Championship. From Oct. 17 to 31, 92 athletes, coaches and officials from 12 countries and regions participated in the wheelchair curling worlds at Beijing’s National Aquatics Center, while training and staying at the China Administration of Sport for Persons with Disabilities (CASPD). The National Aquatics Center, known as the “Water Cube” during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has been converted into the “Ice Cube” for Beijing 2022, and will play host to curling and skating events. World Curling Federation president Kate Caithness called the National Aquatics Center the best curling venue she had ever experienced. “The changing rooms, ramps and other facilities have been designed with great ingenuity and consideration,” she said. Upgrading work on the Ice Cube began in March 2018 and was completed in November 2020. This included installing new roads, parking areas, entrances and exits, elevators, ramps, toilets, dressing rooms, low service desks and voice prompt systems. Like the National Stadium, the Ice Cube also offers the best seats for the disabled. In addition to special ramps for athletes and referees, the organizing committee has also built ramps for media stands to allow access for journalists with disabilities.(Xinhua) | 