The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th Special Olympics are being held from Dec 9 to 14 at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center in Tianhe district, Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province.

Beyond the athletes' relentless efforts, a special "cheering squad" from Tianhe schools energized the atmosphere of fierce competitions. They waved flags, clapped inflatable sticks, and cheered, pushing the excitement to new heights.

Cheer squads from Tianhe schools energize the arena, waving flags and cheering on para-athletes. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

To harness the educational potential of sports, Tianhe organized students from seven schools to experience the sportsmanship and the resilience of para-athletes. The enthusiastic cheers from the stands provided athletes with continuous motivation.

Students were deeply moved by the athletes' perseverance. A student from Guangdong Modern Information Technology School said, "Seeing the athletes' perseverance up close was thrilling. They are incredible, and we should learn from them!"

Another student, surnamed Huang from Tianrong Middle School, said, "Witnessing the competition for the first time was exhilarating. The athletes' strength and perseverance taught me the true meaning of respect."

Fueled by cheers from Tianhe students, a Special Games athlete gives it his all on the track. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

The event also featured champions like Shi Junhao, gold medalist of the men's 200m final at the 15th National Games, who, along with 11 fellow champions from Guangzhou Sports Vocational College, were present to support and inspire the students. They shared their training experiences, imparting valuable lessons on perseverance, respect, and inclusiveness.