Pageantry sets Games into motion

4,403 athletes taking part in tournament

Tokyo: The Tokyo Paralympics started last night following a one-year postponement at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic remains a major concern in the city holding the world’s largest sporting event for people with disabilities.

As he did for the recent Tokyo Olympics, Japanese Emperor Naruhito declared the Paralympics open at the National Stadium.

The 68,000-capacity main venue was a sea of empty seats during the opening ceremony because only VIPs, including International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons, were allowed to attend as a precaution against the spread of the virus.

Tokyo is the first city to host the Paralympics twice, having staged the 1964 edition. But this time, the Games are being held under conditions that…

Pageantry sets Games into motion