Disabled people at last night's Paralympics opening ceremony were impressed by the accessibility of the iconic 'Bird's Nest' National Stadium and the caring yet low-key volunteer service, despite an apparent lack of spontaneity.
Physically challenged spectators, especially those in wheelchairs, were given special treatment at security checks, while Paralympians were excited by the well-rehearsed welcome that matched that received by Olympians last month.
More than 5,000 front-row seats at the 91,000-capacity stadium were vacated to seat the Paralympians, coaches and officials for the three-hour ceremony. Unlike the Olympic opening ceremony, athletes entered the stadium before last night's gala performance.
'The order, a convention for the Paralympics movement, was designed to let the disabled athletes take seats and enjoy the ceremony with ease,' National Stadium spokesman Chen Shuxun said.
Almost all the 4,200-plus Paralympians participated in the ceremony. They started to arrive at the athletes' entrance in fleets of shuttle buses after 6pm, about two hours before the ceremony began.
About half a dozen clapping and dancing male volunteers clad in white T-shirts greeted each bus, setting up ramps for those in wheelchairs and escorting blind athletes.
'We have practised for a long time,' said one volunteer. He declined to confirm rumours that the volunteers were from the People's Armed Police.