SHANGHAI, Sept 7 -- THE mascot for the 2008 Paralympic Games was unveiled last night at a grand ceremony at the Badaling section of the Great Wall, marking the two-year countdown to the games, Xinhua news agency reported.

In the presence of Zeng Qinghong, China's vice president, Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Liu Qi, President of the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee (BOCOG), the mascot was presented to the attending guests and, via live television broadcasting, to the public.

The mascot, named Fu Niu Lele, is modeled after a lovely young cow.

"The design of the mascot absorbs the style of the Chinese culture, embodying the harmony between man and nature and resembling the traditional design styles unique to China's folk engraved prints and folk toys," said Liu Qi.

"The characteristics of a cow, like diligence, determination, courage, endurance and strength, also incorporate the spirit of Paralympians competing in Paralympic Games."

Craven said the Beijing Paralympic mascot epitomizes another side of sport.

"On the one hand, sport is about medal winning athleticism but on the other hand, sport and participation in sport, brings happiness, fun and enjoyment to people all over the world," he said.

"This colorful ambassador of joy will attract people of all ages to the universal message of Paralympic Sport, which is 'Spirit in Motion'."

After the unveiling of the mascot, licensed mascot products and stamps will go on sale nationwide in the following days, organizers said.

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will be held from 6 to 17 September 2008, with expected 4,000 athletes from 150 countries and regions participating in 20 sports.

(Shanghai Daily News)