China dominated the 2004 Paralympic Games by capturing 63 gold medals, but organizers of the next edition in Beijing still feel a lack of public interest in the world's second-largest sporting event.

"We put a lot of effort into raising public awareness, but many Chinese need more knowledge about the Paralympic Movement," said Zhao Sujing, deputy secretary-general for the China Paralympic Committee (CPC).

China could be doing a better PR job for the event, she said.

Zhao's first encounter with wheelchair basketball, goalball (a ball game for the blind) and other customized sports for people with disabilities came in 1994 at the 6th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC Games), held in Beijing.

"I was deeply touched by what the athletes had achieved. I thought what they were doing was extraordinary," said Zhao, who is working closely the organizing committee for the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics (BOCOG).

Zhao was in Yunnan Province earlier this month to monitor the progress and supporting services of the 7th National Games for the Disabled. The event, co-hosted by Kunming and Yuxi, is considered the most important dress rehearsal for the Paralympics next September.

Zhao said the event showed how the Paralympics has already begun to change public perceptions, with crowds of spectators peeking through windows at packed stadiums to watch highlights such as wheelchair basketball, swimming and athletics.

In contrast to previous National Games, when the government had to request that people lend their support, this year all the competitions were free to encourage voluntary participation. The tactic worked.

Chinese athletes made 91 new world records at the National Games. Zhao took this as an encouraging sign, adding that China is training athletes for all 20 events at the Beijing Paralympics, compared to only 12 in Athens.

In Athens, China was successful in high-stamina events like power lifting, athletics and swimming, but failed to qualify for eight events including sailing, equestrian and canoeing, which require expensive training facilities.

The country has since resorted to new technology to help out. Computers now analyze athletes' training data, while sponsors provide advanced artificial limbs to replace crude, do-it-yourself versions.

China is also promoting a broader range of non-professional sports for the disabled including rock-wall climbing, tightrope walking for the blind and sitting Tai Chi for those in wheelchairs.

Zhao didn't agree with the talk of another landslide victory for China next year and said the Beijing Paralympics would be the most competitive yet.

"After the IPC-IOC Agreement (which mandates that both Games must take place in the same city), every Olympic committee began training their Olympic and Paralympic athletes in the same facilities.

"We're definitely going to see all these efforts pay off next year."