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Hong Kong sports
Opinion
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Disabled athletes’ success an inspiration for all of Hong Kong

Their achievements should put a spotlight on the contributions people with disabilities across society can make and the support they need

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Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and other officials attend the flag presentation of the Hong Kong delegation to the 12th National Paralympic Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games of the People’s Republic of China on November 24. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
Disabled athletes from Hong Kong deserve admiration and praise for their historic showing at the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the Special Olympic Games. They stood out in the biggest edition yet of China’s equivalent of the Paralympics and the first to be hosted jointly by Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau.

The Hong Kong squad arrived at the closing ceremony on December 15 with 140 medals, a record haul including 51 golds, 49 silvers and 40 bronzes. The city’s para-sports development also set a new benchmark by sending its largest-ever delegation. It allowed some 280 athletes to join para-sports, mass participation and Special Olympics events. Hong Kong hosted boccia, wheelchair fencing, para table tennis and Special Olympics table tennis. Athletes from the city won medals in each event.

Organisers also drew praise for logistical measures, including streamlined customs procedures, rapid clearance for doping control samples and accessible lanes at border crossings. It was encouraging to see competitors and spectators able to smoothly get to venues across the three host areas, offering a practical experience of the potential connectivity and joint future being developed for the Greater Bay Area.

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