From the "Water Cube" to the "Ice Cube", the National Aquatics Center is the only venue in the world to undertake the Winter and Summer Olympic Games, switching between ice and water freely. During the transition period from the Winter Olympic Games to the Winter Paralympic Games, the National Aquatics Center has improved the accessibility facilities on the basis of the original. At present, "Ice Cube" has formed a perfect barrier-free facility system, and also improved the service standards of barrier-free facilities, which can not only meet the operational needs of the Winter Paralympic venues, but also provide a long-term guarantee for the sustainable use of the venues after the Games.
In terms of passenger elevators, the National Aquatics Center has undergone barrier-free renovations, and people with disabilities can directly access the competition venue and barrier-free stands from all entrances. The width of the barrier-free seat passage of the current venue is greater than 1.20 meters, and the protruding steps on the barrier-free passage are also rounded. The venue has increased, improved and transformed the barrier-free seats in the existing venues, and further improved the barrier-free seat settings. The total number of seats in the curling rink during the competition was 3016, and the number of barrier-free seats after the renovation reached 56, and the accompanying seats were set according to 1:1. In order to improve the accessibility facilities in public areas, the necessary barrier-free facilities are set up in the areas such as the entrance to Gate 5 and Gate 8 on the first floor, including low-level service counters and barrier-free rest areas where wheelchairs can be placed.
In the common parts of the venue, set up international barrier-free prompt signs, barrier-free signs and information, set up positioning plane schematic diagrams, electronic display screens, and set up voice prompt equipment, including elevator voice prompts, toilet emergency calls, and toilet voice prompts.
In terms of changing rooms, the venue replenishes the use of temporary swing container changing rooms. Each dressing room is composed of 4 groups of modules, and the main body of the integrated dressing room is based on the recycling of containers, minimizing the use of new resources. All facilities can be entered and exited in "pop-up mode" environmentally friendly and traceless, and can continue to operate and subsequently use after the conversion of the site, so as to achieve maximum sustainable development.
It is worth noting that for wheelchair curling, the venue has also adopted humane measures, such as reducing the height of the anti-epidemic items for the disabled and facilitating the use of disabled athletes.
It is understood that 90% of the "Ice Cube" barrier-free facilities have been completed before the Winter Olympic Games, and the transition period from the Winter Olympics to the Winter Paralympic Games is mainly optimized for some details, such as the barrier-free ramp carpet is replaced with floor glue, the height of the timing scoreboard is adjusted, the cable under the carpet in the FOP area is adjusted, and the height of the baffle in the mixed interview area is adjusted to enhance the experience of wheelchair curling athletes; outside the closed loop, disabled volunteers experienced the barrier-free facilities such as toilets and spectator seats in the venue to meet the needs of the disabled.
The National Aquatics Center strives to be perfect in terms of barrier-free facilities and service guarantees, such as athletes' admission ramps and container locker rooms can be called "model projects"; low-level anti-epidemic materials are placed within reach of the disabled; the barrier-free facilities of the venue are exquisitely designed and thoughtful, and the services are refined and detailed, so that athletes feel warm. Kate, president of the World Curling Federation, did not hesitate to praise the "Ice Cube", saying that this is the best curling venue she has ever seen, the athletes' locker rooms, barrier-free ramps and other facilities are very exquisite and thoughtful, and the epidemic prevention measures are also in place, so that athletes can participate safely and worry-free.
Source: Winter Paralympic Games Proceedings | Author Zhai Fengrui
Editor: Ma Nan (female)
Process Editor: Dan Guo