Speaking on the eve of Tuesday’s opening ceremony at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) chairman Andrew Parsons said it was decided the Paralympics would be held safely.
“One of the questions I’m often asked is, ‘can we have safe games?’ and the answer is yes, we wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think we could offer safe games, ”he said.
Parsons confirmed that the Afghanistan flag will be incorporated into the opening ceremony parade even as Afghan athletes withdraw from the Games due to the cancellation of flights from the country.
“It is important to emphasize that as it is a message of solidarity and peace that we send to the world,” he added.
“We’d like to have them here, unfortunately it’s not possible, but they’ll be here in spirit.”
In a statement to CNN Sport last week, the CPI said it was “a supporter of the practice of sport as a basic human right.”
“Every individual should have the opportunity to play sport and no one should be discriminated against because of their disability, gender, sexual preference, race or religion,” he added.
Covid outbreak
Earlier this month, Japan fired thousands of athletes after an Olympics deemed a success despite a litany of scandals and the backdrop of coronavirus cases in the country.
Now the hosts are ready to welcome thousands more athletes as the Paralympic Games, scheduled for September 5th, begin.
During the Olympics there was an absence of spectators during 97% of the competitions, including all Tokyo venues, with limited capacity in several other prefectures, and last week, organizers said the Paralympics would also be held. behind closed doors in the midst of the pandemic.
Japan has reported nearly 435,000 cases of Covid-19 and 577 deaths in the past 28 days, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Tokyo, the epicenter of the country’s outbreak, confirmed 2,447 new cases on Monday, 515 less than the same day last week. It was the first time in two days that the capital’s daily bill had fallen from the corresponding day of the previous week.
On August 17, the Japanese government extended the state of emergency in Tokyo and other regions until September 12 as cases escalated.
“The Delta variant that is sweeping the world is causing unprecedented cases in our country,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said.
“Serious cases are rising rapidly and heavily on the medical system, especially in the capital region.”
It means athletes will have to compete without family and friends at the stadium, which some Olympic competitors said they fought.
However, Paralympic triathlete Melissa Stockwell, one of the flagships of the American team, said she hopes to have it to the fullest.
“It was pretty hard to hear the news that family and friends wouldn’t be allowed in the Games,” Stockwell told CNN.
“I had these pictures of running for the finish line with my husband and kids on the sidelines shouting,‘ Go, mom, go! “and this will not happen and this is very unfortunate.
“I think as far as my family is concerned, they’re not here physically, but they are there in my mind, and I’ll still hear those cries of ‘Go, mom, go’ in my mind as I go through that ending.”
Paralympic debuts
Despite the real threat posed by the pandemic, organizers insist they can still hold safe and successful Paralympic Games, pointing to the relative success of the Olympics.
The same strict precautions will be effective with athletes confined to small social bubbles and forced to perform thorough tests.
But fans can still be thrilled to see athletes compete in 22 different sports, with badminton and taekwondo debuting Paralympically.
Bhutan, Granada, Maldives, Paraguay and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will also be participating in the Paralympic Games for the first time, with 162 delegations competing.
There are three more nations competing in Tokyo than in Rio 2016, but London 2012 still holds the Paralympic record, with the participation of 164 delegations.
“It’s always special to see an NPC (National Paralympic Committees) make their first appearance at the Paralympic Games,” Parsons said.
“With all the challenges created by the pandemic, seeing these NPCs as part of the inaugural ceremony on August 24 will be an extra special and emotional moment for all concerned.”
Refugee Team
Among the federations that will compete will be the Paralympic refugee team, made up of six athletes: one woman and five men.
The CPI says the group “represents the more than 82 million people worldwide who have been forced to flee war, persecution and human rights abuses, of whom 12 million live with disabilities.” .
“I’ve read your stories and I’ve known the journeys you’ve all been through. You’re the bravest sports team in the world right now.
“One of the things I know about sport is its life-changing power. You’re all role models now with the power to inspire others. Don’t be fooled, what you’re about to do in Tokyo will change your life. the people.
“There will be young people who will play sports thanks to you.”