![]() ![]() Taking place on a stage resembling an airport, the opening ceremony saw mask-wearing athletes waving at the camera as they entered in the order of the Japanese alphabet, with the refugee team leading the way. “I declare open the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games,” Japanese Emperor Naruhito said at the National Stadium, with the 68,000-capacity main venue a sea of empty seats because only VIPs were allowed to attend as a precaution against the spread of the virus. Taekwondo and badminton have been added to the program for the first time, while other sports include swimming, athletics, boccia and wheelchair tennis. The Paralympics will consist of 539 medal events across 22 sports. 5, in what the International Paralympic Committee said is a “remarkable achievement” given the difficulties posed by the global health crisis. But this time, the games will be held under conditions that nobody had imagined before the virus took hold, with safety measures preventing regular spectators from attending, as was the case during the Olympics.Ī record 4,403 athletes from 161 countries and regions, as well as a small refugee team, will take center stage through Sept. Tokyo is the first city to host the Summer Paralympics twice, having staged the 1964 edition. The small number of officials and dignitaries in the stadium included International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach who arrived back in Tokyo on Monday after overseeing the July 23-August 8 Olympics there. Difference is the strength, it is not the weakness,” Parsons said.Īthletes from Afghanistan are not present because flights are suspended following the Taliban regaining power in the country but the national flag, carried by a volunteer, was part of the parade in an act of solidarity. “We will put the world’s 1.2 million persons with disabilities at the heart of the inclusion agenda. While no tickets are sold owing to the pandemic, some 130,000 schoolchildren are to attend the events. Some 4,400 athletes from 161 countries plus a refugee team will be competing for more than 500 gold medals in 22 sports over 12 days. “May doubted this day would happen, many thought it was impossible.” “I cannot believe we are finally here,” International Paralympics Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons said. The opening ceremony took place behind closed doors at the Olympic Stadium amid a strict coronavirus-related hygiene protocol which includes a Paralympic bubble for athletes and officials.Ī state of emergency remains in place in Tokyo amid high infection rates and citizens are encouraged to stay at home. Japan’s emperor Naruhito on Tuesday officially opened the Tokyo Paralympics which take place shortly after the Olympics in the Japanese capital and run until September 5. ![]()
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