2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games began on Tuesday night with opening ceremony at Japan's National Stadium. twelve-day sporting celebration includes total of 539 events in 22 para sports. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said total of 161 countries and 4,500 para athletes are taking part in Games. This includes the Refugee Paralympic Team. opening ceremony took place in empty stadium. Japan's Emperor Naruhito opened the Games. He said: "I would like to join you in wishing all athletes very best." The IPC president said: "The Paralympics are not just fantastic to watch, they also have ability to transform society like no other sports event on this planet."
The Games should have taken place last year but were postponed because of coronavirus pandemic. IPC president Andrew Parsons spoke about his happiness at event finally happening. He said: "I cannot believe we are finally here. Many people doubted this day would happen. Many thought it was impossible. But, thanks to efforts of many, most transformative sport event on Earth is about to begin." 14-year-old Ugandan swimmer, Husnah Kukundakwe, summed up her excitement about being at Games. She said: "I feel like I'm meeting movie stars." She added: "Since it's Paralympics and everybody else is disabled, I feel really comfortable."
