On 8 September 2024, the curtain fell on the 17th Summer Paralympic Games, wrapping up of an 11-day celebration of disabled sports in Paris, France.

Students from the School for the Disabled at the Open University of China (OUC) showcased their exceptional talent and determination, clinching a total of 11 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. Their outstanding performances significantly bolstered the achievements of the Chinese sports delegation.

Highlights of OUC Students at the 17th Summer Paralympic Games:

Feng Yanke, a Social Work undergraduate from the Autumn 2022 cohort at the School for the Disabled, demonstrated his prowess in wheelchair fencing events, securing two gold medals in the Men's Sabre Individual B Category and the Men's Foil Individual B Category, alongside a silver medal in the Men's Foil Team event. This was Feng Yanke's third participation in the Paralympics.

Sun Gang, another Social Work undergraduate from the  Autumn 2022 class at the School for the Disabled and the flag bearer for the Chinese sports delegation at the opening ceremony of the 4th Asian Para Games Hangzhou, excelled in the wheelchair fencing competitions. He won four gold medals in the Men's Foil Individual A Category, Men's Foil Team, Men's Epee A Category, and Men's Epee Team events.

Zou Lijuan, who began her studies in Social Work in the spring of 2017 at the School for the Disabled and graduated in the spring of 2021, achieved remarkable success in athletics. She won the gold medal in the Women's Javelin F34 category, breaking the world record, and also secured another gold in the Women's Shot Put F34 category. Her victory marked the 200th gold medal for Chinese disabled athletes since their debut at the Paralympics in 1984.

Zhang Bian, a junior college graduate in Social Work from the School for the Disabled, completed her studies in the spring of 2017, having started in the autumn of 2014. She successfully defended her championship title in the final of the Women's Singles Table Tennis Class 5 event. Since the 2012 London Paralympics, she has won championship for four consecutive times, making her a veteran of five Paralympic Games.

Throughout the Paralympic Games, the students from the OUC’s School for the Disabled exemplified a spirit of dignity, confidence, self-reliance, and perseverance. Their efforts were instrumental in leading the Chinese sports delegation to the top of both the gold medal and overall medal standings. They brought honour to their country and added glory to the OUC. Each medal they won is a testament to the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger" and vividly reflects the indomitable and pioneering spirit of disabled sports.

The Dean of the School for the Disabled at OUC stated, "We are immensely proud of these students. Their success is not only a result of their individual dedication but also a testament to our school's consistent commitment to providing high-quality education resources and support for the disabled. We will continue to uphold this philosophy and help more disabled individuals realise their dreams. We extend our warmest congratulations to all our medalists and look forward to their continued success in future competitions, bringing further accolades to the Chinese sports delegation!"

By OUC