China's Liu Zixu competes during the biathlon men's sprint sitting event of Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games at National Biathlon Centre in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, March 5, 2022. (HU CHAO / XINHUA)

CHONGLI, Zhangjiakou - With the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games closing on Sunday, every athlete, whether taking a medal or not, has showcased the world what they are capable of.

Their passion for sports and effort and determination in pursuing their dreams have made them heroes.

VETERAN SKIER MAKES HISTORY WITH 16 PARALYMPIC GOLDS

Winning the gold in the men's middle distance vision impaired on Saturday, Canada's legendary Para cross-country skier Brian McKeever equalled German Gerd Schoenfelder's record of 16 gold medals as the most decorated men's Paralympian.

Winning the gold in the men's middle distance vision impaired on Saturday, Canada's legendary Para cross-country skier Brian McKeever equalled German Gerd Schoenfelder's record of 16 gold medals as the most decorated men's Paralympian

This is McKeever's sixth Paralympics, spanning 20 years since 2002. The 42-year-old Canadian has bagged two titles from the long distance and sprint in Zhangjiakou earlier this week.

"If the records happen to come, great. But that was never the focus. Never been interested in leaving a legacy, that's not been important to me. For me, it's just been about trying to be the best athletes that we can be and try to do the work as professionally as we can, and the results come with that. It's just been about enjoying, and we love having our adventures," said McKeever.

The veteran debuted and harvested two golds at the 2002 Salt Lake City Paralympics, followed with two more at Turin 2006 and obtained three gold medals each time from Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, and PyeongChang 2018.

ALSO READ: Para cross-country skier Wang wins 15th gold for host China

Born in 1979, McKeever first tried skiing at the age of three and began competing at 12. At 19, he was diagnosed with Stargardt disease and has less than 10% vision after inflicted the sickness. Injuries have been an inevitable company of his splendid career.

"I'm going to fade away now, I'm getting too old and grey and getting too many injuries. Maybe it's my last Paralympic as an athlete. I want to be able to enjoy skiing for the rest of my life and not be so broken that I can't get out the door. But I think we'll never leave this, because it's part of who we are now," said McKeever.

CHINA'S FIRST-EVER INDIVIDUAL GOLD MEDALIST

After winning the first-ever Paralympic individual gold for China in the men's sprint sitting, Para biathlete Liu Zixu wrapped up his Paralympic debut with a bronze in the men's individual sitting on Friday.

Earlier this week, the 24-year-old Liu finished fifth in the men's middle distance sitting of Para biathlon on Tuesday and fourth in the men's sprint sitting of Para cross-country skiing on Wednesday.

"I think I'm not in my best physically, but with all my competitions finished, I feel so happy and relaxed," said Liu.

After winning the first-ever Paralympic individual gold for China in the men's sprint sitting, Para biathlete Liu Zixu wrapped up his Paralympic debut with a bronze in the men's individual sitting on Friday

A car crash resulted in Liu's left leg amputation and reset the course of his life when he was 11 years old in 2008, the year that Beijing hosted the Summer Olympic Games.

When Liu was overwhelmed by helplessness, sport gave him a hand. In 2017, Liu started skiing after a four-year training in archery with Shaanxi provincial team.

At first, he doubted himself and found it hard to accept the unimpressive results despite of his hard work. With the help of coaches, he made progress and rebuilt his confidence.

ALSO READ: China into wheelchair curling final, makes ice hockey history

"Shooting well is hard, skiing fast is challenging as well. However, I always believe that life will never disappoint a person who tries to hold on to himself. I'm so happy for what I have accomplished," Liu said.

57-YEAR-OLD DEBUTANT'S MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE

For Belgium's 57-year-old Para Alpine skier Linda Le Bon, her Paralympic debut might not be ideal because of the absence of her regular guide. But skiing along with her daughter Ulla Gilot as the guide on the course is a total joy.

Belgium's Linda Le Bon reacts after competing in the women's giant slalom vision impaired event at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing during the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games on March 11, 2022. (WANG ZHAO / AFP)

Le Bon was diagnosed with macular degeneration in 2012 and has less than 10% vision. Prior to her diagnosis of vision impairment, she worked as a ski instructor, and was also involved in a number of sporting activities like rock climbing, fencing and badminton.

She took up Para Alpine skiing with the help of a guide and won the silver in the visually impaired downhill and super-G at the 2021 World Championships in Lillehammer, Norway together with Pierre Couquelet.

However, Couquelet was not able to attend the Beijing Winter Paralympics due to an administrative error and Le Bon had to switch to her reserve guide, her daughter Gilot, just a week before her competitions, even though the two never skied together before.

ALSO READ: Para snowboarder Sun wins 14th gold for host China

Of the five events she entered, Le Bon's best result was a fifth finish in the women's super combined on Monday. However, being able to share the experience with her daughter has made it all more memorable for her despite missing the podium.

"It's something very special to be here with my daughter," Le Bon said.  "I couldn't imagine it 16 months ago because I only started competing in skiing then.

"With my daughter, each time it's better."

"AUNT JING" PURSUES PARA ICE HOCKEY

With a total time of five minutes and 16 seconds on the ice rink, no goal or assist, Yu Jing from China completed her Winter Paralympic journey on Tuesday, the International Women's Day.

With a total time of five minutes and 16 seconds on the ice rink, no goal or assist, Yu Jing from China completed her Winter Paralympic journey on Tuesday, the International Women's Day

Despite being a mixed sport in which male and female athletes compete together, Yu was only the third female player having participated in Para ice hockey at the Paralympic Games and the only one at Beijing 2022.

"It was really hard to get started in Para ice hockey, and I thought about giving up. But it was my teammates who encouraged me, taught me the skills, and helped me get to where I am today," she said.

Born in 1983, Poliomyelitis caused a disability in Yu's left leg when she was a little girl, but it never stopped her passion for sports. She has competed in wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, wheelchair fencing, and archery over the years.

In 2019, Yu took up Para ice hockey. In 2021, she was called up by the Chinese Paralympic ice hockey team, becoming the only female in the team, and the oldest member. "The youngest player is half my age. It's fair for him to call me Aunt Jing."

After the debut, Yu received a bunch of flowers. "I think I did really well today. The first step is always the hardest, but once you are determined with your choice, just keep at it with faith. If someone else can do it, so can you," Yu said.