Integrity Score 150
No Records Found
No Records Found
No Records Found
On Tuesday, amid a virtually vacant, 68 000-capacity Olympic stadium the Japanese emperor Naruhito declared the Tokyo Paralympics open, athletes prepared to defy prejudices, and shatter records despite a year-long lag.
There were about 800 VIPs and officials at the paved-down ceremony, but 162 teams experienced a long-awaited moment in the world's light. There was a celebrative vibe.
It took the theme of "we have wings" to create the mini-airport on the field of the stadium and tell a story of a single aeroplane which lifts us up the skies. The ceremony took place at a time.
After the disappointment of the postponement and concerns about a possible cancellation, a reduced parade of around 3,400 Paralympians and team officials entered the stadium, wearing masks but waving and dancing.
After the thangavelu mariyappan was quarantined following close encounter with a COVID-19 positive person on the journey to Tokyo, javelin thrower Tek Chand wore the Indian tricolour. Mariyappan and five other members of the Indian contingent have been quarantined.
Afghanistan's flag was brought into the stadium by a volunteer as a "show of solidarity" with athletes from the country, which was one of 21 nations barred from competing in the Games.
The 13-day Games begin two weeks after the conclusion of the Olympics, which were held almost exclusively behind closed doors and featured 539 gold medals across 22 sports.