The Beijing 2022 Paralymic Winter Games was held on March 4-13. To encourage more disable people engage in winter sports, GB/T 16931-2022, Classification of winter para sports athletes, was published on January 21.

Unlike other games, athletes with different levels of disability should be grouped during the Games, according to their situation. This can make sure that athletes with similar disabilities compete on the same starting line. Therefore, we need standards to make the grouping under the principle of transparency and openness.

As a revision of the standard published in 1997, the new national voluntary standard regulates the classification of disabled athletes for 6 sports, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing biathlon, wheelchair curling and ice hockey.

Directed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China, SAC and the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the standard is based on the work of SAC/TC 148, Rehabilitation and special equipment for disabled persons, which helps formulate specific technical indicators.

It is expected that the standard will attract more disabled persons to participate in winter sports, and help them more closely bond with the society. Also, it lays down the technical basis for cultivating disabled athletes and relevant jobs, which turns out beneficial to China's preparation for the Beijing 2022 Paralymic Winter Games.

The revised standard also echos the Outline for National Standardization Development, which means standardization works on disabled people should be included in the blueprint of China's development. Development achievements should be shared by all.