The first day of competition at the Tokyo Paralympics begins today after the spectacular opening ceremony kicked things off in Japan.
The Paralympics will see athletes handed their opportunity to shine just like the Tokyo Olympics after the delay due to the pandemic.
The hope and expectation is that not only will there be elite-level competition, but the organisers want the Paralympics to enhance and prove Japanese society to be more inclusive.
It is the first city to host two Paralympic Games, 57 years on from their first Games in 1964, with 4,400 athletes in Tokyo representing 162 national Paralympic committees.
There will be 539 medal events on offer across 22 sports too. We can look forward to new events in the form of Para-badminton and Para-taekwondo, though Para-sailing and football seven-a-side have been cut since Rio 2016.
“I cannot believe we are finally here. Many doubted this day would happen,” said President of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons in his Opening Ceremony speech.
“Many thought it impossible. But thanks to the efforts of many, the most transformative sport event on Earth is about to begin.“We want to change the entire world.”
Paralympics 2021: Netherland pair break world record in Para Cycling to qualify for final
Netherlands’ Tristan Bangma and pilot Patrick Bos just broke the men’s B 4000m individual pursuit world record by finishing in 3:59:47.
The duo will face GB’s Stephen Bate for gold now.
Team GB’s Stephen Bate and pilot Adam Duggleby qualify second-fastest – beating the previous world record with a time of 4:02.497
Shweta Sharma25 August 2021 05:21
Paralympics wheelchair basketball schedule: Matches and start times at Tokyo 2020
Below is a complete list of all the Tokyo Paralympics wheelchair basketball matches, all of which take place at either the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza or the Ariake Arena.
There are 12 men’s nations (Japan, United States, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Turkey, Australia, Iran, South Korea, Algeria) and 10 women’s nations (Japan, United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Netherlands, Australia, China, Algeria).
Graeme Massie25 August 2021 04:55
Paralympics 2021: Team GB staff member tests positive for Covid-19
A staff member with Great Britain’s wheelchair tennis group is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus on the first day of Paralympics games.
Contact tracing is being conducted to identify people who came in close contacts.
“The health and welfare of the delegation is of utmost importance and the BPA (British Paralympic Association) are in constant contact with all those involved, led by our chief medical officer Dr Stuart Miller and mental health lead Dr Amanda Gatherer,” read a Paralympics GB statement.
Chef de mission Penny Briscoe added: “The health and welfare of all Paralympics GB athletes and staff remains our number one priority and we are working hard to ensure all those involved receive the support they need.”
Shweta Sharma25 August 2021 04:51
Paralympics 2021: World record for Sarah Storey and assured gold for team GB
Sarah Storey smashed her own world record in qualifying for the 3000m individual pursuit by finishing the crossing line in 3.27.057.
Storey, who has 14 Paralympic gold medals, beat her own record by four seconds.
She will face compatriot Crystal Lane-Wright in the gold medal race later on Wednesday. Either way, it’s gold for Team GB.
Shweta Sharma25 August 2021 04:27
What is boccia at the Tokyo Paralympics? The rules explained
One of the most distinctive and tense sports set to take place at the Paralympic Games in Japan is boccia, an event, like goalball, with no Olympic equivalent.
A tactical target sport akin to bowls or petanque, the game traces its roots all the way back to Ancient Greece and Egypt and is thought to be one of the oldest ever played by humans.
Joe Sommerlad has the story.
Graeme Massie25 August 2021 03:58
Paralympics 2021: Who is the former US navy bomb disposal expert competing in paratriathlon?
He is a retired US navy bomb disposal expert who was totally blinded after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
But within a year Brad Snyder had become a Paralympic athlete and won three medals in the pool at London 2012.
Graeme Massie25 August 2021 03:30
Paralympics: Who is the world’s fastest blind athlete?
David Brown began running at the age of five, but lost his sight to Kawasaki disease by the age of 13. He is the fastest blind athlete in history and holds world records at 100m and 200m.
The 28-year-old grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, before moving to St Louis to attend the Missouri School of the Blind, and it was there that he discovered his sprinting ability and he has not slowed down since.
Graeme Massie25 August 2021 03:03
Joe Biden wishes Team USA good luck
The president posted his message to the American athletes on Instagram as the first day of competition got underway.
“Good luck to all the US Paralympic athletes competing in Tokyo. Your resilience, talent, and determination serve as an inspiration to us all,” he said.
Graeme Massie25 August 2021 02:35
Paralympics 2021: Who is the Team USA star born in Ukraine after Chernobyl disaster?
She is the Team USA star who was given up for adoption after her birth in the Ukraine three years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and now is aiming for a medal in Tokyo.
Oksana Masters was born with defects linked to the radiation poisoning caused by the 1986 accident, with her legs missing weight-bearing bones.
Graeme Massie25 August 2021 02:01
Swimming heats get underway in Tokyo
Natalie Sims of Team United States looks on following her Women’s 400m Freestyle – S9 heat on day 1 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at on August 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Graeme Massie25 August 2021 01:59