China dominates the Paralympics – but that’s not just down to its almost limitless funds | Mark Dreyer

China has a huge population and thereby a large pool of people with disabilities, and starts developing their talents early

At the Olympics, as in geopolitics, China is locked in a continuing battle for global dominance with the US. In the all-important gold medal tally at the Tokyo Games three years ago, the Americans edged their Chinese rivals by 39 golds to 38; in Paris last month, they finished with 40 apiece.

When it comes to the Paralympics, however, China leaves the US (and everyone else) in the dust. At each of the past five Summer Paralympics - dating back to 2004 - China's gold medal tally has been, at a minimum, the same as the second- and third-placed countries combined. In Paris, as of this morning, they have 73 - with the UK and US trailing at 37 and 27, respectively.

Mark Dreyer is the founder of China Sports Insider and Beijing-based author of Sporting Superpower: An Insider's View on China's Quest to Be the Best

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