Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games kicked off
The Paralympic Games officially kicked off in Tokyo’s empty National Stadium as the city remains in a state of emergency.
More than 4,500 athletes from 163 countries gather in the Japanese capital, one year late due to Covid-19. They are 2,550 male and 1,853 female athletes who compete in 539 events in 22 sports.
| The vivid opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020. Photo: AFP/VNA |
With the opening on Tuesday night (August 24) of the Paralympic Games, Tokyo became the first city to host two editions of these multi-sport competitions, having also hosted the 1964 Games.
Attending the opening ceremony were Emperor Naruhito, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons and many other Japanese government officials and representatives of countries.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games sets the record for having the highest participation of athletes and women athletes in the Paralympic Games history.
The Vietnamese sports delegation comprises 15 members, including seven athletes who will compete in weightlifting, swimming, and athletics.
| Photo: AFP/VNA |
The host country of Japan attended the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with 464 members, including 254 athletes competing in all events. Japan is also the country with the largest number of athletes joining the event.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will run from August 24 to September 5 in Tokyo and three neighboring provinces, including Chiba, Saitama and Shizuoka.
Earlier, Japan has had announced plans to ensure the safe and successful hosting of the Olympics. Just like the 2020 Summer Olympics, audiences can only spectate the games via live broadcasting channels to prevent the risk of coronavirus transmission.
