Artist captures para-Olympic fighting spirit

"We hope the donation of artwork to us para-athletes will encourage people from all walks of society to pay attention to the sporting sector of people with disabilities."

At a donation ceremony held by the China Disabled Person's Federation(CDPF), Chen Jianxin, champion of the curling competition at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics, shared this sentiment.

On Saturday, Dong Xiyuan, a well-known traditional Chinese painter as well as a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, donated his calligraphy and painting artworks to four athletes that participated in 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics.

It was in April 2021 that Dong, upon hearing that Chinese athletes were preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, decided to paint a series of traditional Chinese artworks for the athletes. "I have chosen to draw lotus and plum blossom because they symbolize the spirit of fighting". He said in a speech at the donation ceremony: "In our traditional culture, lotus is sacred and clean, while the plum blossom reaches its peak in winter, symbolizing the fight against harsh conditions. That's why I hope to depict Chinese para-athletes' fighting spirit with the two flowers."

At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, 174 Chinese athletes had got 207 medals, for whom Dong had painted 174 lotus artworks; At the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics, 51 Chinese athletes got 61 medals, for whom Dong had painted 51 plum blossom artworks.

Chen thanked Dong for all the efforts and said that the efforts of all are like the five rings that symbolize the Olympics, which are associated with each other and work together towards a common goal.

Fan Di'an, chairperson of China Artists Association, spoke highly of Dong's efforts and especially praised his choice of lotus. "Art can play a key role in helping those with disabilities and Dong has set a glorious example," he said.

Xiu Fujin, a permanent member of CPPCC National Committee and vice director of its committee on cultural affairs, said that a leading artist like Dong's influence can never be overestimated, and called for more people to join the cause so as to improve the conditions of people with disabilities.

Zhang Wei, vice director-general of CDPF, said that para-sport is part of the efforts to promote human rights of people with disabilities, and by encouraging that sector the artist is encouraging more people with disabilities to pursue colorful dreams.

"Everybody can pursue a colorful dream and we thank everyone who helps people with disabilities on that course," Zhang said.