Our new Gold rush
Team GB launches its bid to pile glories on top of summer’s haul
THE 2020 Paralympics opened yesterday, 364 days late but with a sense of celebration and a carnival atmosphere.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga were among the few spectators.
But the sparse crowd could be heard cheering as if in a full house.
Flagbearers Ellie Simmonds and John Stubbs led out Great Britain’s Paralympic stars, hoping to add to our 65 Summer Olympics medals.
Swimmer Simmonds and archer Stubbs smiled behind masks as they waved to cameras. Athletes from Bhutan, Guyana, Maldives,
Paraguay, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were all making their Games debuts.
The flag bearer from Madagascar cut a lone figure, as she is her country’s sole representative.
Among the absentees are New Zealand – the Kiwis are staying away due to Covid-19 fears.
The Afghan flag was flown in solidarity after the country’s athletes were denied a chance to perform by the Taliban takeover.
But there will be at least one Afghan competitor – swimmer Abbas Karimi is among a special team of refugee athletes. He is joined by Iranian Shahrad
Nasajpour (discus), Burundian Parfait Hakizimana (taekwondo) and Syrians Anas Al Khalifa (canoeing), Ibrahim Al Hussein (swimming) and Alia Issa (club throw).
Team boss Ileana Rodriguez said: “These athletes are going to give all of what they have during these Games to really support all the refugees out there and make them feel hopeful and the same message goes to the people of Afghanistan.”
Jubilant IPC President Andrew Parsons said: “Many doubted this day would happen. Paralympians, you gave your all to be here: blood, sweat and tears.
“Now it’s your moment to show to the world your skill, your strength, your determination.
“If the world has ever labelled you, now is your time to be relabelled: champion, hero, friend, colleague, role model or just human. You are the
It’s your moment to show to the world your skill, your strength ANDREW PARSONS PRESIDENT OF THE IPC
best of humanity and the only ones w ho can decide who and what you are.
“This is the power of sport, to transform lives and communities.”
SOLIDARITY More than 4,000 athletes will compete across 22 sports.
A British team of 227 athletes will take part in 19 of them.
The action starts today, with 539 events being hosted at 21 venues, though spectators are barred. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have wished the British athletes good luck. William and Kate added online: “We can’t wait to see the talent and skill displayed over the next two weeks.” The Earl of Wessex, who is the patron of ParalympicsGB, also issued a message of support. Prince Edward said in a video message: “We want you to go out there and achieve your best, make us proud, and inspire the next generation of athletes with a disability. And whatever happens, I hope you have a brilliant experience in Japan.”
Some of sport’s biggest stars have already added their passion.
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford wrote a number of messages on Twitter in the build-up to the competition, urging people to tune into the coverage and calling competitors “real-life superheroes”.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King tweeted: “Good luck to all the terrific athletes who have trained so hard... for the chance to win a medal.”