Fireworks illuminate the night sky during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, March 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

"Beijing 2008 changed the way the Summer Paralympics was delivered forever, this will be the same with the Winter Paralympic," said IPC president Andrew Parsons.

BEIJING, March 12  -- Beijing 2008 changed the way the Summer Paralympics was delivered forever, and this will be the same with the Winter Paralympics, said International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons.

As the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is about to come to an end, Parsons shared his experience and thoughts on Beijing 2022 in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

FULFILLING COMMITMENTS

Making his first trip to China in 2005, Parsons was surprised at how China has changed in the past 17 years. Despite being in the closed-loop during the Beijing Winter Paralympics, Parsons said he has seen a "more modern city" on his way to the Yanqing and Zhangjiakou competition zones.

The IPC chief was also impressed by China's sense of responsibility in fulfilling its promise to host the Games.

"All the different levels of government, the organizing committee, and everyone here, they wanted to deliver great Games in very challenging circumstances," Parsons said. "And I think they succeeded in that. I'm really impressed with the level of delivery of the Games."