Tokyo 2020 Paralympics take flight with dazzling Opening Ceremony

An upbeat Opening Ceremony set the tone for a Paralympic Games that seems to mean even more this time around.

Stadium seats were empty but hearts full as Japan’s Emperor Naruhito declared open the 16th edition of the Games, unlike any of the 15 that came before.

The Parade of Nations was led by the Refugee Paralympic Team, appearing for the first time, with six athletes representing 82 million refugees worldwide.

Then swimmer Ellie Simmonds and archer John Stubbs, separated by a lifetime in years of age, walked poignantly side-by-side, carrying one flag and leading ParalympicsGB into the stadium.

Right behind them in the 17-strong parade was Caz Walton, who won two medals at Tokyo 1964 and has been involved in every Paralympic Games since.

It marked the end of a long and winding journey to get here for a team of 227 British athletes, upwards of 30 returning champions and more women than ever, and the start of a unique Games.

It did the same for each of the other 161 delegations in Tokyo, fielding a record 4,403 athletes set to compete over 22 sports in the coming 12 days.

The ceremony was set in a ‘Para Airport’ with a theme of ‘We Have Wings’.

Manically energetic performances turned a gentle breeze into a huge gust of wind, symbolic of a new vision of disability. Many in the cast had a disability, and a large contingent were performing for the first time.

In her opening speech, Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto said: “We hope the Tokyo 2020 Games will be an opportunity to build a society where everyone is free to live as who they are in mutual support and understanding, free from discrimination or barriers of any kind.

“Athletes and sport have the power to change the world and our future - and that is precisely our mission. The time has come for social change.”

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons said: “Many doubted this day would happen, many thought it was impossible. I cannot believe we are finally here.

“Thanks to the efforts of many, the most transformative sporting event on Earth is about to begin.

“Change starts with sport. And from tomorrow on, Paralympic athletes start once again to change to world.”

The Paralympic flame, coming from Stoke Mandeville, was lit by Japanese athletes Karin Morisaki, Shunsuke Uchida and Kamiji Yui. The Games are officially underway.