The Paralympics Torch Ceremony

The Paralympics are set to begin in just a little over a week and athletes all over the world are getting read for the games. This week 68 athletes from Mexico flew into Beijing and Spain is set to send 133 athletes. This Thursday, August 28th, the Paralympics Torch was lit in a special way, which made use of the sun to start the fire.

Jiang Xintian is a Chinese actor who was born deaf and dumb. She hosts a show, in which she uses her hands to speak and has been very successful. Xintian was chosen to light the torch. She held the torch in front of a concave mirror erected at the Temple of Heaven, which is an ancient temple that was completed in 1420 and symbolizes the link between heaven and Earth.

The president of the International Paralympic Committee, Philip Craven, said “The flame will symbolize over the next 10 days the unique sporting spirit displayed by Paralympic athletes,” during the opening ceremony.

The international portion of the Paralympics Torch Relay was canceled, but instead 850 Paralympic athletes will carry the torch along two routes throughout China. The torch will pass through 11 different Chinese Regions over its 10 day trip. The two routes are designed to display Ancient China and Modern China, with the Ancient Relay beginning today and the Modern Relay beginning on Saturday.

The torch will return to Beijing on the 5th of September and will be brought to the opening ceremony the next day.