Olympics
The Tokyo Paralympic Games Open with a Record Number of Athletes
by privatebet.com - 2021/08/25
Only a few weeks since the Olympic Games wrapped up, another major sporting event is taking place in Tokyo. The 2020 Paralympics opened on Tuesday, and this year’s event is quite historic, with a record number of athletes set to take part. It’s been reported that a total of 4,403 athletes will compete across 22 sports and 23 disciplines in Tokyo – 2,550 male and 1,853 female. This also marks another major record for the Paralympic Games – the highest number of female athletes to line up for medals at this event. Andrew Parsons, the president of the International Paralympic Committee, released an official statement celebrating this achievement and praised those who made it possible during the most testing of times. “Over the coming days the outstanding performances of Paralympians will smash stereotypes and demonstrate why persons with disabilities need to be active, visible, and contributing members of a global society now, more than ever,” said Parsons. The Tokyo Summer Paralympics kicked off on August 24, with the country's essential workers carrying the flag to the podium, and it will wrap up on September 5. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the events will take place behind closed doors with no spectators. Tokyo is currently the first and only city to host the Paralympics on two separate occasions.