During the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games held on 4 March 2022, an array of national flag bearers composed of eight disabled and non-disabled athletes attracted the attention of audience. The flag bearers were representatives selected from Chinese disabled athletes and those who have made contributions to undertakings for the disabled. Notably, two of the flag bearers were alumni of the Open University of China (OUC).

 

Rong Jing, a student of Lianyungang Open University and winner of two gold medals in the women’s épée team and women’s foil team events, one silver in women’s individual épée (Grade A), and one bronze in women’s foil (Grade A) events at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, said that, “I feel extremely honoured to be a flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games and step into the National Stadium bearing our country’s flag. I feel so lucky to be able to live in this new era, and I want to give a big thumbs-up for our motherland for the prosperity and strength it has achieved.”

 

Li Liqing, a student of Dongguan Open University, has achieved good results in under-48kg judo events, including a silver medal at the 2011 National Paralympic Games, champion of the 2014 World Championships, and champion of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

“I’m really grateful for this opportunity to escort the national flag alongside other outstanding athletes. The mere thought of what China has achieved and all the hard work in the past makes me feel very proud. All of our hard work is worthwhile. Let’s work hard together for our motherland,” Li Liqing said.

 

A group photo of the flag bearers

 

Sun Gang, another Paralympic athlete from Lianyungang Open University, also served as the flag bearer of Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games. Sun Gang won two A-level Championships in the men’s foil team and men’s foil individual events at the Tokyo Paralympic Games and was a winner of four gold and two silver medals at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

 

 

By OUC Voice Official WeChat Account