Preparing for the Paralympic Winter Olympics: Torchbearers Li Rui and Zhou Jingjing carry the Paralympic torch to the flaming ceremony at the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing. The torch had been lit in Stoke Mandeville on Monday. The village northwest of London is considered the birthplace of the Paralympics. Host country China awaits the Paralympic Winter Olympics with a record delegation: 96 athletes will compete for the People’s Republic. The Games begin tomorrow, Friday, and last until March 13.