Illustration: Liu Xiangya/Global Times
A stunning fusion of human perseverance and technological advancement are on full display at the ongoing 4th Asian Para Games.
Held in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, the Games are not only bringing us stories of resilience and determination, but also shedding light on how cutting-edge technology bolsters accessibility and inclusiveness for people with disabilities to take part in sports.
For instance, a total of 188 people with disabilities were invited to the torch relay, during which intelligent bionic hands and legs, as well as smart guide dogs were used to help them realize their dreams.
When the last torch bearer, swimmer Xu Jialing, who won seven gold medals at the Jakarta Asian Para Games in 2018, lit the cauldron at the Games opening ceremony on Saturday night, a smart device lent a helping hand.
Xu, who lost her left arm due to an accident at the age of 5, was fitted with an intelligent bionic arm, a product of a Hangzhou-based tech company specializing in brain-computer interface products.
The bionic arm is able to pick up the weak electromyographic and neuroelectrical signals on her arm, allowing Xu to control and move it as easily as her right arm.
It only takes a few seconds to put on and take off the smart arm, which can be used for more than 10 hours on a full charge, while the price is only one-fifth that of imported smart prostheses, according to the company.
"Although I have adapted to living with one arm, the bionic arm has given me the ability to hold a torch with both hands and light the flame, which is pretty cool. It also makes my daily life easier, like holding water bottles and unscrewing the bottle cap," Xu said.
Another torch bearer, Cai Qianghui, concluded the torch relay with an intelligent guide dog. This marks the first time that a robot guide dog was involved in the torch relay at an international multi-sport event.
The visually impaired Cai said that she felt more at ease during the relay as she didn't have to take the feelings of a real guide dog into consideration.
Du Zuofeng, deputy commander of the Hangzhou Asian Para Games Torch Relay Command Center, told the Global Times that "by using intelligent bionic legs and robot guide dogs in a torch relay, we wish to convey the idea that technology can change our lives and make the impossible possible, bringing convenience to the lives of more people with disabilities."
The application of technology at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games has brought huge changes to sports for people with disabilities. It not only allows the athletes to showcase their talents on stage, but also promotes technological innovation and development of sports.
Behind these technological innovations, we see the care, love, and concern that the city of Hangzhou is showing people with disabilities.
Yang Jinkui, director general of the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities, told the Global Times that he wanted to give a big thumbs-up to the smart technologies the organizing committee has adopted to aid the athletes.
"To provide barrier-free services to athletes with different types of disabilities at such a big event, using technology is the best option," Yang said.
"The smart guide dog opens up new possibilities for individuals with visual impairments, creating better experiences for athletes with varying disabilities. Hangzhou has brought the technology advancements into full play to help provide high-quality services for the athletes," Yang noted.
From intelligent bionic hands to artificial retinas, and from sign language translation software to exoskeleton rehabilitation robots, various high-tech assistive devices have also drawn people's attention at the maintenance center at the athletes' village.
The devices include electric wheelchairs and smart electric scooters, 3D-printed spinal braces, hydraulic carbon fiber ankle-mounted footplates and pneumatic finger training devices.
A standing and walking robot helps people with leg issues exercise through fun interactive games.
Right before the 4th Asian Para Games, Hangzhou, along with five other cities in Zhejiang Province, played host to the 19th Asian Games. The Games attracted nearly 3,100 athletes from 44 countries and regions in Asia to compete in 564 events of 22 sports at 19 competition venues.
Chen Weiqiang, chief spokesman of the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, told the Global Times that smart devices were widely used in these Games.
"It takes time for smart devices to become popular, but the power of technology will enhance the development of the cause of people with disabilities," said Chen.
The author is a reporter with the Global Times. [email protected] 
