SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 20 hrs 13 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Great Britain

Ellie Simmonds and John Stubbs lead out British athletes at Tokyo Paralympics

:Headline: Ellie Simmonds and John Stubbs lead out British athletes at Tokyo Paralympics:
The long-awaited opening ceremony took place precisely 364 days later than planned and more than 16 months since being postponed.
Sports Mole

Flagbearers Ellie Simmonds and John Stubbs led out Great Britain's Paralympic athletes at the opening ceremony of the delayed Tokyo Games.

Swimmer Simmonds and archer Stubbs smiled behind their masks as they waved for the cameras in an almost-empty Olympic stadium populated only by selected dignitaries, volunteers and members of the media.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga were among those present for a day organisers and many athletes feared may never happen.

Athletes during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics at Japan's Olympic Stadium (PA)

The long-awaited event took place precisely 364 days later than planned and more than 16 months since being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing athletes inside the stadium, IPC president Andrew Parsons said: "Paralympians, you gave your all to be here: blood, sweat and tears. Now it's your moment to show to the world your skill, your strength, your determination.

"If the world has ever labelled you, now is your time to be relabelled: champion, hero, friend, colleague, role model or just human.

"You are the best of humanity and the only ones who can decide who and what you are.

"Your performances change the fortunes of your lives but more importantly they will change the lives of 1.2 billion (disabled people worldwide) forever. This is the power of sport, to transform lives and communities. Change starts with sport and from tomorrow on Paralympic athletes start to change the world."

IPC president Andrew Parsons addressed the athletes during the opening ceremony (Joel Marklund for OIS/PA handout)

Notable absentees were New Zealand and Afghanistan.

The Kiwi contingent opted not to attend due to Covid-19 fears, while the Afghan flag was flown by the International Paralympic Committee as a sign of solidarity after athletes from there were denied a chance to perform at the Games by the uncertainty caused by the recent Taliban takeover.

One Afghanistan-born athlete present was Abbas Karimi. The swimmer, who was born without arms, was involved in a poignant moment as he and club throw athlete Alia Issa began the procession of competitors from across the world as flagbearers of the six-strong Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT).

Tokyo is making history as the first city to host the summer Paralympic Games for a second time, having also done so in 1964.

body check tags ::

amp_article__460662 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-08-24 16:12:06:
html db last update - 2021-08-24 16:12:06 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Ellie Simmonds

Click here for more stories about Great Britain

Share this article now:
MU
Read Next:
Broad's wish list and Man Utd make flying start - Saturday's sporting social
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Ellie Simmonds John Stubbs Other
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Broad's wish list and Man Utd make flying start - Saturday's sporting social
Title blow! Man City lose five in a row as four-goal Spurs dismantle the champions
"He's been unfairly judged" - Have the critics been too harsh on Arsenal's Merino?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Yoro is back! When could Man United centre-back make his debut?

NEW

1

YI

'Not good enough': Man United chiefs have 'serious doubts' over summer arrival

NEW

2

'G

Title blow! Man City lose five in a row as four-goal Spurs dismantle the champions

NEW

3

TB

'I'm trying to convince him': Maresca comments on Fernandez tactical tweak

4

'T

Is Rashford in Amorim's plans at Man United moving forward?

5

IR

Team News: Leganes vs. Real Madrid injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

6

TN

Barca star 'commits long-term future' to La Liga leaders

7

BS

Team News: Ipswich vs. Man Utd injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

8

TN

The revival begins? Arsenal end winless run in three-goal Forest victory

9

TR

"Perfect for him" - Amorim hints 25-year-old will be a vital player in his new system

10

&F


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .