Not so long ago, the whole world was living with the Olympic Games in Tokyo, and already on Tuesday, the struggle of disabled athletes begins.
This is the 16th time the Paralympic Summer Games will be held. For the first time, disabled athletes competed in 1960 in Rome. Tokyo will host the event for the second time, following the 1964 Paralympics. Since 1988 they have been held in the same location as the competitions of the non-disabled athletes.
Poland is sending 89 athletes to Japan – 56 men and 33 women. The white and red athletes will compete in 12 disciplines. The largest number of them will compete in the para-athletics competition – 34 people. Maciej Lepiato, a para-athlete, and Joanna Mendak, a para-swimmer, will be the flag bearers of the Polish team during the opening ceremony.
4537 athletes from 163 countries will participate in the Paralympics. They will compete in 22 disciplines and 539 events. The Paralympics will be officially opened by Emperor Naruhito and the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, among others, will attend the opening ceremony. The competition will last until Sunday, September 5, when the closing ceremony is scheduled.