On March 3, the National Aquatics Center "Ice Cube" ushered in the first official training day, and more than 50 wheelchair curlers from 11 countries carried out field adaptation training at the Ice Cube. The opening of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games is imminent, and during the 10-day transition period, the "Ice Cube" team of the National Aquatics Center carries forward the spirit of continuous combat, fully summarizes the successful experience gained in the Winter Olympic Games, fully completes the preparations for the wheelchair curling competition of the Winter Paralympic Games, and goes all out to ensure the smooth and wonderful start of the wheelchair curling project of the Winter Paralympic Games with the best state and the highest standards.
As the first competition venue of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, the National Aquatics Center has played 147 competitions since February 2 and from February 20 to the closing ceremony on February 20, resulting in three gold medals, which is the venue with the most games and the longest cycle of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, which can be called the "busiest venue".
After the end of the Winter Olympic Games, since February 21, the National Aquatics Center, under the overall guidance of the parent company Beijing State-owned Assets Corporation, has focused on the requirements of "two Olympic Games, equally wonderful", and has quickly completed a total of 59 key transformations such as facilities, landscape signs, and venue conversions in view of the characteristics of the Winter Paralympic Games.
At present, the image landscape, ice surface facilities, broadcast equipment, etc. of the venue have all been in place, including the athletes' locker room, the athletes' rest area, the barrier-free ramp and other venue service facilities are all ready, and every detail is strived to be fine and thoughtful, and strive to create a comfortable and convenient competition environment for athletes from all over the world.
According to the event schedule, the Wheelchair Curling Venue of the National Aquatics Center Winter Paralympic Games will be held from March 3 to March 12, of which March 3 and 4 are the official training days, and the competition will be held in the eight-day period from March 5 to March 12 to determine a gold medal.
According to the relevant person in charge of the "Ice Cube" team, on the basis of summarizing the experience of the wheelchair curling World Championships and the Winter Olympics in October last year, in accordance with the principle of "while converting, reviewing and adjusting", the personnel team is optimized according to actual needs, and the organization and operation support ability is continuously improved, giving athletes a better participation experience, reflecting the first good standards and the level of work of the demonstration venue.
Not only that, the National Aquatics Center has also made full use of the venue conversion period to organize training plans in relevant business fields, and since February 23, it has carried out 19 various types of training such as disability concept, disabled service knowledge and etiquette, and welfare vehicle cooperation. The development of training, seminars and drills has further enhanced the awareness of staff in various fields of the Paralympic Games, done a good job in various service guarantees with respect, responsibility and feelings, improved the skills of assisting the disabled, and truly achieved the four barrier-free all-round transformation of "facilities, information, services and concepts".
Epidemic prevention remains a top priority. On the basis of summarizing the effective epidemic prevention measures in the early stage, the National Aquatics Center team further did a good job in various prevention and control measures, strengthened information communication, strictly implemented the specific requirements of the epidemic prevention manual, and ensured the safety of athletes from all over the world.
It is understood that after the End of the Winter Paralympic Games, the National Aquatics Center will be opened to the public as soon as possible, and the public and primary and secondary school students will be able to experience the Winter Olympic Games competition venues. The "Ice Cube" South Square Underground Ice Rink is also scheduled to open its doors to the public in May, which will become an important carrier for promoting ice sports to young people and better serve "300 million people participating in ice and snow sports".