MPress

Back to Beijing
China Tour March
2009
Beijing Wheelchair Dance Sport
Competition
Asian Ballroom Competition - The
Venue
The competition and accommodation was at a
modern training facility for Para-Olympians, built in
preparation for the 2008 Beijing
Olympics.
The China
Disability Sports Training Centre is one of the world's
largest dedicated training centers for people with a
disability.
It covers a total
of 238,235 square meters, and includes a multi-sports
training gym, two swimming pools, cycling
track, two outdoor football fields and two archery
ranges. The centre doubles as the national Paralympic
sports training base, and is located in Beijing's
suburban Shunyi
district.

The first
impression of the complex is dominated by the all grey
exterior, the surrounding fence and the
guards.
The guards seem to be there 24 x 7 and always
salute when a car drives past. Still not sure where that
gate
leads.
Being some
distance from the Beijing centre, it escapes the density
usually associated with the big city. From our room
window, we could see a guy looking after his
sheep.
By night, the complex takes on a very different
character. Colorful lights on buildings is all the rage in
Beijing and this place really lights up. Not the best
photo, but you get the drift. There are a lot of buildings
and walkways to illuminate and it sure looks
spectacular.

The competition hall had plenty of space
for the size of the event and there were a number of
areas for couples to warm up and get that last minute practice
in.
We have
uploaded all the photos in the photo gallery. You can check the venue photos
here.
Chris
Gruber
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