Speed Reading — Paralympics - Level 3 — 300 wpm

Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.


This is the text (if you need help).

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games began on Tuesday night with the opening ceremony at Japan's National Stadium. The twelve-day sporting celebration includes a total of 539 events in 22 para sports. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said a total of 161 countries and 4,500 para athletes are taking part in the Games. This includes the Refugee Paralympic Team. The opening ceremony took place in an empty stadium. Japan's Emperor Naruhito opened the Games. He said: "I would like to join you in wishing all athletes the very best." The IPC president said: "The Paralympics are not just fantastic to watch, they also have the 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 the coronavirus pandemic. The IPC president Andrew Parsons spoke about his happiness at the 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 the efforts of many, the most transformative sport event on Earth is about to begin." A 14-year-old Ugandan swimmer, Husnah Kukundakwe, summed up her excitement about being at the Games. She said: "I feel like I'm meeting movie stars." She added: "Since it's the Paralympics and everybody else is disabled, I feel really comfortable."

Comprehension questions
  1. What stadium did the Paralympics Opening Ceremony take place in?
  2. How many events are there at the Paralympics?
  3. How many spectators were at the Opening Ceremony?
  4. Who wished all the athletes well?
  5. What did the Paralympics president say the Games could do to society?
  6. What caused the delay of the Paralympics?
  7. Who doubted whether the Paralympics would take place?
  8. What event does Husnah Kukundakwe take part in?
  9. Who does Husnah Kukundakwe feel like she is meeting?
  10. How does Husnah Kukundakwe feel at the Paralympics?

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