Ping Yali, China's first ever Paralympic gold medalist, is among seven disabled athletes who will take part in the torch relay Saturday night at the opening ceremony of Beijing Paralympics, organizers said.
Joining Ping in the relay inside the National Stadium are Jin Jing, the wheelchaired fencer and Olympic torchbearer known for protecting the flame from protestors in Paris leg in May, and five other Paralympic gold medalists - Wu Yunhu (swimming), Zhang Hongwei (athletics), Zhang Haidong (powerlifting), Sun Changting (athletics) and Hou Bin (athletics).
But the identity of the last torchbearer who will light the cauldron remains unknown.
The IPC flag, with the organization's new logo (three curves of red, blue and green) on it, will be escorted by eight Chinese Paralympians before being hoisted. They are Bian Jianxin (powerlifting), Wang Jian (powerlifting), Wu Yancong (athletics), Zhao Jihong (athletics), Huang Wentao (athletics), Chen Weihong (table tennis), Wang Yanhong (archery), Wu Hongping (athletics).
(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2008)