The 2020 Paralympic Games were officially opened Tuesday at the Olympic Stadium located in Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan.
The major international multi-sport event involves athletes with a range of disabilities and is governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
A record 4 403 athletes across 162 delegations, including six that make up the Paralympic Refugee Team, will get a chance to make history on the field of play, from 24 August to 05 September 2021.
Athletes are competing for 539 medals across 22 sporting events.
Namibia is being represented by three athletes in athletics; sprint and long jump. The athletes are Ananias Shikongo; Johannes Nambala and Lahja Ishitile. The guides are Sydney Kamuaruuma, Sem Shimanda and Even Tjiuiju.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, IPC president Andrew Parsons said Paralympians are set to change the world’s view on disability at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
“From one year to less than 24 hours, what seemed like an endless wait will soon be over for thousands of athletes eager to finally take centre stage at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games,” said Parsons.
He added that many thought it was impossible to host the games but they made it to host the biggest games on earth and credit should be given to the athletes who never gave up as well as the Japanese government who did everything in their power to make the event possible.
“Paralympians gave their all to be here and now it’s time to show the world what you are made of. You are the best of humanity and you can decide who you are. Your performances will change the fortunes of your lives as well as the lives of two billion people living with disability,” Parsons said.
Namibia’s track and field athletes are expected to start competing on Friday.
Ishitile will compete in the women’s T11 long jump at 02h30 Namibian time, and at around 04h00 she will compete in round one of the T11 400 metre heat.
Team Namibia returned with five medals – one gold, two silver and two bronze from the 2016 Paralympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Source: Namibia Press Agency