We shall overcome

A disabled swimmer trains at the natatorium of the CDTC in Beijing.

Now, the natatorium at the training center includes a standard pool with world-class facilities such as an electronic timing system, a LED screen and a pressure-sensitive starting platform.

There is an underwater observation window, another training pool beside changing and shower rooms and technical analysis rooms.

Better facilities for training means better chances at winning, Wang says.

Li Duan, a professional basketball player before he went blind and lost two fingers in an accident 1996, is a veteran champion of the long jump and the triple jump events at various sports competitions for the disabled.

"Sports was once my life and still is," says Li, who has been training at the center since March with his coach Jin Fan for the upcoming Paralympics.

Recalling his winning moments, he says: "I can't see the national flag rising, But I can hear the national anthem."

For Fu Yongqing, 33, playing basketball has opened up a completely new world. The mother of two lost both legs in a traffic accident in 1995 in her village in Yunnan, Southwest China.

The center of the national team of women basketball for the disabled says she did not know anything about the game when she was talent scouted in 2006.

"I thought somebody had to push the wheelchair while I played," says Fu, laughing.

Fu was recruited into the national team in 2007. She played in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games and also participated twice at the World Wheelchair Basketball Champions in United Kingdom.

Xu Yuanshen is a former player with China's national basketball team in the 1970s. He has been coaching Fu and her teammates since 2006.

Working with them, he not only plays the role of mentor and coach, but often, their logistics officer.

"We have 12 players, each of them has a normal wheelchair and a special one for basketball. So whenever we play abroad, we are traveling with 24 wheelchairs," says Xu, who needs to look after both players and wheelchairs.

"It is a tough job, but seeing how basketball has injected vitality and courage into their lives and given them confidence ... that's enough for me."