At the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, athletes worldwide have demonstrated unyielding determination, writing extraordinary tales of self-transcendence.

This premier sporting event, concluding Sunday, transcends medal tallies. It serves as a prism reflecting civilization's progress, showcasing athletic prowess among the differently abled community while driving the momentum toward a barrier-free society.

From 'new records' to 'full coverage': A vision of equality

The historic expansion of this Winter Paralympics testifies to the global flourishing of differently abled sports.

The data released by International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons at a pre-Games press conference was encouraging: 612 athletes qualified for the Games, setting a new Winter Paralympics record; five delegations, including El Salvador, Haiti and Montenegro, made their debut. This geographic breakthrough confirms that sports know no borders and disability poses no barriers.

China's participation mirrors the comprehensive development of the nation's disability cause. It fielded a 167-member delegation, with 70 athletes competing across all six sports in 71 events.

From Beijing 2022 to Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, Chinese para-sports have made a leap from participant to leader. Gen Z athlete Cai Jiayun's biathlon double-gold victory shattered European dominance, proving that when equal participation is ensured, life's potential can be fully realized. Each breakthrough signals that disability cannot define life and striving rewrites destiny.

'Being seen' to 'being understood': Sports drive paradigm shifts

The core value of the Winter Paralympics lies in driving global public understanding of the disabled community from "passive pity" to "active respect." Research released by the Canadian Paralympic Committee ahead of the Games revealed that 90% of consistent Paralympic followers take concrete actions supporting disability causes, including donations, advocacy and awareness campaigns, compared to 70% among the general Canadian public.

When global audiences cheer athletes overcoming barriers, the community's image leaps from "objects of pity" to "figures of respect." As the International Paralympic Committee emphasizes, the Games' ultimate value lies in creating inclusive environments for 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide – about 16% of the global population.

From 'momentary games' to 'lasting progress': Legacy builds foundations for accessibility

Successful Paralympics transform Games-time safeguards into long-term social wealth. Looking back at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, Beijing renovated and upgraded 336,000 accessibility sites, creating 100 model barrier-free demonstration districts; Zhangjiakou, co-host city of the Games, constructed and renovated nearly 360 kilometers of tactile paving, successfully earning the title "National Model City for Accessible Environment."

The accessibility upgrades completed during the Games, including elevators, ramps and restrooms, served athletes' competition and living needs and then became public goods for daily urban operation, benefiting tens of millions of people with disabilities and their families. The preparation and hosting of Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will undoubtedly leave valuable new legacies for the host nation and global accessibility development alike.

From 'flowers of glory' to 'pathways to employment': Value empowerment for deep integration

The Games provide platforms for demonstrating self-worth, driving a shift from "welfare safety net" to "empowering through value." Beijing's "flowers of glory," bouquets crocheted by 150 people with disabilities, showcased employment potential and creative capacity.

Tang Zhanxin, head of Beijing Spinal Cord Injury Hope Home, said they were entrusted with the task "not because we are disabled, but because we can do it well." Her organization has trained over 400 people with disabilities and helped more than 700 secure flexible employment.

Employment represents the deepest form of social integration for people with disabilities. As an official from the China Disabled Persons' Federation stated, employment is the critical pathway for persons with disabilities to improve their living conditions, realize life values and move toward common prosperity.

The Milano Cortina Paralympics ends but the flames of hope, equality and inclusion will continue burning globally. From ice tracks to life's race, progress of the differently abled measures civilization. Only by embedding accessibility into urban fabric and public consciousness – ensuring every person with disability can participate equally – can we realize a future that is both "barrier-free" and "filled with love."

This is the Paralympic spirit's most valuable lesson to our generation.