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Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games: opening ceremony – as it happened
This article is more than 2 years old
The flame is lit and the Paralympics are up and running after a colourful opening ceremony in Tokyo
Updated
Tue 24 Aug 2021 09.56 EDT
First published on Tue 24 Aug 2021 06.15 EDT
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Thank you very much for your company today. That is all from us today but there will be plenty more Paralympics coming your way.
Pyrotechnics all over the place now as the fireworks are flying through the air after being let off from the roof of the stadium.
The Olympic flame is lit
The three torches have come together to bring us fire!
The cauldron, you will be pleased to know, is hydrogen fuelled as the Tokyo Games aim to be carbon neutral.
Three Paralympians are making their way to the cauldron with flames attached to their wheelchairs.
The flame is on its way to be lit!
Our one-winged young heroine is about to take off from Para Airport thanks to all the help she has received from various people throughout the ceremony. “We have wings” comes the end message.
We are in the midst of a big musical number with musicians and dancers with varying impairments at the heart of it.
There is now a violinist with a mechanical arm playing, which is ruddy impressive.
The flag is very much in situ now. A symbolic moment for all involved. The pledges are being read as we speak.
There is a saxophonist playing, so we really are at the business end of this ceremony.
The Games are officially open!
The big news has been declared.
“The Paralympics is a platform for change ... but we need to do our bit everyday to be inclusive.”
Andrew Parsons the president of the of the International Paralympic Committee is the next up to tell us how good sport is.
Japan Olympics minister Seiko Hashimoto is welcoming everyone to the event. I could type it all up but I am sure you get the gist.
The dignitaries have made their way to the stage.
An array of ‘planes’ are landing inside the stadium. There is a lot going on, I won’t lie. It is all incredibly upbeat, that is for sure.
We are working hard in the background here and already have a lovely gallery of photos from the opening ceremony.
Needless to say, the story of the plane is being told in the form of interpretive dance. A girl is in a wheelchair with one wing attached is landing at the airport.
We are now being welcomed to Para Airport where we will hear a story of a one-winged plane.
The parading is over. Now we have a jazzy lights show. It looks all a bit Picasso and Goya at the moment, as paint brushes of colour are laid over the floor.
Take a look back at previous Paralympics ...
Japan have formed the largest-ever Paralympics team. It could take a while to get them all round the stadium. It is fantastic news for the nation to invest in this event so heavily and hopefully will have a long-term impact of sports in the country.
Romania have arrived and now Luxembourg comes into the arena in some well-tailored blazers.
The feel-good factor for ParalympicsGB.
The Moldovan team have some traditional dress on. Our household has plenty of similar flowery shirts due to the Romanian heritage here, so I have plenty of respect for it. Moldova has a surprisingly big squad for such a small nation.
The Mexicans and their sombreros are in town. It is certainly a jazzy number that tops the head of a few of their athletes. Still seems an impractical piece of headwear.
Madagascar have a flagbearer and no one behind here. What a proud moment for her to represent her nation at the Paralympics.
There is a strong Portuguese contingent entering the stadium. The largest we have seen for a while. It is always great to see a strong team supported by their nation.
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