READY, SET, GO!
The bravest and the best are aiming for sporting stardom – bring on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics!
The delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were more thrilling than anyone anticipated. Now, the excitement continues with the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics coming to our screens. With 300 hours of footage set to be broadcast, Channel 4 is doubling the hours transmitted for Rio 2016 and has drafted in the largest number of disabled presenters ever seen on our TV screens – more than 70% of the team have some form of disability. To top it off, Clare Balding will host coverage of sporting finals live from Leeds.
Comedian Rosie Jones is among the team of roving reporters in Tokyo, with Ade Adepitan heading the highlights show, while Steph Mcgovern and Arthur Williams will host a daily Paralympics breakfast show. Plus, The Last Leg will air each evening with highlights and entertainment, and More 4 will become a dedicated team sports channel.
The Paralympicsgb team is strong, with the likes of sprinter Jonnie
Peacock, swimmer Ellie Simmonds and equestrian Sir Lee Pearson hotly tipped to come away with medals.
There are some new sports in the running, too. For the first time ever, badminton will feature with specially modified wheelchairs, along with taekwondo, where only blows to the trunk will count. In all, there are 22 different sports with 539 events taking place.
Expect major sporting drama, along with highs and lows, as these awe-inspiring athletes really do demonstrate the incredible lengths of human capability and endurance.