The fire within: Paralympics return to Japan after 57 years; Tek Chand leads Indian contingent in opening ceremony

Tokyo, August 24

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In a manner most fitting, the Tokyo Paralympics began here today with the central theme of ‘We Have Wings’ in a colourful opening ceremony, depicting the para-athletes’ endeavour to fly high in the face of unimaginable adversities.

At times tugging at the heartstrings, the otherwise joyous and colourful opening ceremony — the main character of which was a ‘little one-winged plane’ — encapsulated the idea that every human being has its own wings, and by mustering courage and spreading them wide, it can go anywhere irrespective of which way the wind blows.

Emperor Naruhito declared the Games open in front of a near-empty stadium before the Paralympics flag was carried into the National Stadium.

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said the organisers can deliver a “safe” Games. “I cannot believe we are finally here,” said Parsons. “Many doubted this day would happen, many thought it was impossible. Thanks to the efforts of many, the most transformative event is happening. Organisers never lost faith and have worked tirelessly along with the Japanese Government.”

Prior to that, the ceremony paid homage to the resilience of para-athletes while giving the message of moving forward amid the unrelenting devastation being caused by the pandemic.

The Paralympics have returned to Tokyo for the first time in 57 years, making the Japanese capital the first-ever city to host the Games twice.

An all-inclusive character

The ceremony was set in a ‘Para Airport’ — a symbol of diversity and inclusion — and began with a video that depicted the strength of para-athletes.

In the video, a gentle breeze turned into a huge gust of wind that reached the stadium and swept through the field of play. Following this, a group of crew members, who work at the airport, began a countdown at the end of which fireworks lit up the night sky to celebrate the start of the Games.

IPC chief Parsons and Naruhito were welcomed to the stadium following which the Japanese flag was carried to the stage by six individuals, including Kaori Icho, the four-time Olympics freestyle wrestling champion and Takumi Astani, a rescue worker.

Sombre music played in the background.

After introducing the 22 sports and events at Tokyo 2020, a colourful line of light appeared at the end of the first video, which then transformed into the runway of the Para Airport.

Giant propellers and balloons surrounded the outer stage, forming the Agitos symbol of the Paralympics.

After the Parade of Nations came the ‘little one-winged plane’ – performed by young 13-year-old wheelchair-bound Yui Wago, who had never acted before.

The little one-winged plane does not believe she can fly. But inspired by the others around her — a group of vehicles who are unlike anyone she has ever met before, including a huge, dazzling truck and his companions — she musters enough courage and confidence and returns to the Para Airport, where she heads towards the runway in the darkness alone.

The crew joins her, begin clapping to a beat and cheer her on. Before long, she takes off into the night sky, her wing shining brightly.

Meanwhile, during the Parade of Nations, catching everyone’s attention, a guide dog helped lead the Israeli team out.

This edition of the showpiece will feature an unprecedented 4,403 athletes.

During the Parade of the Nations in which the Refuge Paralympics team entered first, Afghanistan’s flag with the absent team got a massive round of applause from the media and workers in the largely empty stadium, showing solidarity with a nation in turmoil.

The two athletes who were to represent Afghanistan — Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rasouli — withdrew after the collapse of the government and the return of the Taliban to power.

Meanwhile, performers in bright costumes danced their way through, invoking the Japanese tradition of karakuri. There was also pole dancing in the middle of the stage, with all other performers surrounding world champion Eri Kamimoto. — PTI

India’s flagbearer changed at last minute

Tek Chand, who will compete in shot put, led the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony after replacing high-jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu as the flagbearer at the last minute after the latter came in close contact of a Covid positive person during his flight to Tokyo. Apart from Tek, others in the opening included chef-de-mission Gursharan Singh, deputy chef-de-mission Arhan Bagati, the contingent’s other administrative staff and one coach, Satyanarayana.