Anchor:
After 4 years of hard training, the moment has come for some 4000 athletes from all over the world who have now gathered in Beijing. Excitement is building among them. CRI's He Fei reports.

Reporter:
After a relatively quiet period, the Olympic Village is once again getting busy as thousands of athletes from over 140 countries and regions move in.

The village has changed into a paralympic-friendly home and is full of joy and passion.

Many athletes can't wait for the opening ceremony to begin. Grant Boxall is a wheelchair rugby player from Perth, Australia.

"I've seen the Olympic Opening Ceremony on the television and I'm very excited to see what Beijing has in store for us athletes. As most people probably understand that it is just as much work and dedication and sacrifice that goes into preparing for a Paralympic Games as it is for Olympic Games, so I'm sure that the Beijing Olympic Committee for organizing the games will be putting on a fantastic show for us, so very much looking forward to it."

Just like Grant, Matthias Schmidt, a blind runner from Germany is also excited about the opening ceremony.

"I'm really excited. I'm from the athletics and our training was close to the Olympic Stadium and we are so excited now for the opening ceremony and after this the competition as well."

Annabelle Williams from Australia is a little bit nervous since this is her first Paralympics.

"Very much looking forward to it and feeling very excited but trying not to think about the nerves, just trying to stay relaxed and calm."

Many have also competed in more than one Paralympics. Veteran Kenyan athlete Henry Wanyoike will compete in the marathon race for blind people. He says he is ready for the tough games ahead.

"The environment in China is great. The Games are very well prepared and we are looking forward to a good competition. The competition will be tough but we are ready to fight."

As the host nation, China has sent its largest and best ever team to compete in all the sports.

Chinese athlete Zhang Haiyuan won a gold medal in long jump in Athens. Since then, she has embarked on her second Paralympic pilgrimage.

"I really hope that the competition will start as soon as possible and I am able to get good results. But on the other hand, I really don't want to see the end of the Games. I just hope I can do my best and break my own record. To our athletes, the result is not the only aim. We enjoy the process even more."

During the Olympic Games, Beijing witnessed dozens of new world records. People are likely to see more during the coming Paralympic Games.

He Fei, CRI News.