(BEIJING, September 6) -- For the first time in Paralympic history, the organizing committee will bear all international travel expenses of the Paralympic athletes and team officials, said Tang Xiaoquan, Executive Vice-President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).

Tang, also president of the Executive Board of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, told the press conference that BOCOG also promises to offer free food, accommodations and registration to the athletes and officials during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, as well as similar services offered to Olympians.

The 13th Paralympic Games will take place in Beijing from September 6-17, 2008. An estimated 4,000 athletes from over 150 countries and regions, along with 2,500 coaches, trainers and technical officials, will take part.