The games are still on in Beijing

Photo by Guang Niu/Getty Images The Olympic Games may have closed more than two weeks ago, but that doesn’t mean the Water Cube and other venues are standing dormant. The Paralympics opened this weekend! On Sunday, China competed against Britain in five-a-side soccer. For those not familiar with the game, each team has five players ...

By , copy chief at Foreign Policy from 2009-2016 and was an assistant editor from 2007-2009.
592731_080909_soccer5.jpg
592731_080909_soccer5.jpg

Photo by Guang Niu/Getty Images

Photo by Guang Niu/Getty Images

The Olympic Games may have closed more than two weeks ago, but that doesn’t mean the Water Cube and other venues are standing dormant. The Paralympics opened this weekend!

On Sunday, China competed against Britain in five-a-side soccer. For those not familiar with the game, each team has five players on the field — all of whom are blind or visually impaired, with the exception of the goalkeeper, who may be sighted. All except the goalkeepers wear eyeshades to ensure fairness. The ball makes a noise when it moves, and each team has a guide behind the opponent’s goal to direct players. The field is surrounded by walls, so there are no throw-ins.

Here, David Clarke of Britain (in white) and Chen Shanyong (#3, at right) fight for the ball. China ended up winning 3-0.

Preeti Aroon was copy chief at Foreign Policy from 2009-2016 and was an assistant editor from 2007-2009. Twitter: @pjaroonFP

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