Main content
Hou Bin wows the world
The Chinese athlete who lit the Paralympic flame after a stunning feat of strength.
At the opening ceremony of the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, Chinese athlete Hou Bin stunned the huge global audience with an amazing feat of strength. As the world held its breath, he used a rope to haul himself, his wheelchair and the Olympic flame 39 metres into the air to light the cauldron. Hou Bin talks to Ashley Byrne. A Made In Manchester Production.
PHOTO: Hou Bin climbing to the top of the Olympic stadium (Getty Images)
Last on
Sun 22 Aug 202118:50GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Thu 19 Aug 202109:50GMTBBC World Service
- Thu 19 Aug 202123:50GMTBBC World Service
- Sat 21 Aug 202104:50GMTBBC World Service South Asia & East Asia only
- Sat 21 Aug 202117:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 22 Aug 202118:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
Olympic history
The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history
Sporting Witness Films
Watch sporting heroes tell their stories of astonishing achievement
Podcast
![]()
Sporting Witness
Personal stories of amazing moments from sporting history told by people who were there
