Feature: Iranian para-athlete Rouzbeh embraces warm memories about Winter Paralympics

TEHRAN, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Despite ranking at the bottom in the women's Banked Slalom SB-LL2 event of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, Iranian para-snowboarder Sedigheh Rouzbeh said everything she experienced in China has been pleasant.

"For an athlete, particularly for those from Iran, where there are not many facilities and infrastructure for skiing, the mere presence in the Winter Paralympic Games is very valuable," Rouzbeh said after staying in China for roughly two weeks.

When she crossed the finishing line in the event, spectators applauded her for not giving up. In addition to the cheer, Rouzbeh said she received "very positive and inspiring comments and feedback".

"The warm and friendly atmosphere pervading the athletes' relationships with each other was also very pleasant to me," she said.

According to Rouzbeh, athletes from different parts of the world constantly encouraged each other and sought to lift one another's spirits.

She said she enjoyed the time with all these "happy, diligent and energetic" people, and learned a lot from them.

"They know that competing is not the sole target of the Paralympics, but creating a friendly atmosphere and environment, promoting friendship among nations and regions and making the world a place where everyone lives peacefully with each other," she noted.

"I really feel that the Paralympians fulfill very well the mission of the Paralympic Games," she said, adding that they "simultaneously sought to achieve their goals and make each other feel good."

She was also impressed by China's performance in hosting the Winter Paralympics, which Rouzbeh hailed as "very strong, consistent and orderly."

Athletes are provided with the amenities on the slopes and in the Paralympic Village, she said, adding that the organizers, staff and ordinary people have also been "very friendly, warm and respectful".

"They are always wearing a smile," Rouzbeh added.

Prior to arriving in China, Rouzbeh couldn't even imagine "how it would be possible to, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, prevent the virus from spreading" during the Games.

"If the organizers had shown an iota of weakness in that regard, the virus could have spread in the village and infected everyone. However, that did not happen thanks to China's effective management," she said.