Let the Paralympics begin! Opening ceremony for 2020 Games takes place in Tokyo as Ellie Simmonds and John Stubbs represent Team GB as flag bearers… as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wish Brits ‘the best of luck’
- The opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games took place on Tuesday
- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sent Team GB athletes their well-wishes
- Ellie Simmonds and John Stubbs were Great Britain’s flag bearers in Tokyo
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The Paralympics has officially begun following the opening ceremony in Tokyo on Tuesday, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sending their well-wishes to those representing Great Britain over the next fortnight.
Despite no fans in attendance – due to the coronavirus pandemic – the Olympic Stadium was a beacon of light to mark the start of the 2020 Games.
Even though they couldn’t make the trip, Prince William and Catherine Middleton tweeted a good luck message to the 227 athletes that are representing Team GB across 19 of the 22 Paralympic sports.
Their Kensington Royal Twitter account posted: ‘Wishing @ParalympicsGB and all the athletes from around the world the best of luck in this year’s #Paralympics.
‘We can’t wait to see the talent and skill displayed over the next two weeks #ImpossibleToIgnore.’
The Paralympic Games opening ceremony took place on Tuesday to mark the start of the event
The spectacle was a sea of colour as Japan officially marked the start of the Tokyo Games
Ellie Simmonds (centre) and John Stubbs were Great Britain’s flag bearers at the ceremony
Great Britain have 227 athletes competing across 19 of the 22 Paralympic sports
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (pictured at Wimbledon) sent well-wishes to Team GB
A swarm of athletes – including members of the Refugee Paralympic Team – did descend upon the venue though to enjoy the moment ahead of the 12-day Paralympics starting on Wednesday.
The atmosphere around the city had built up in the day too as the torch relay for the Paralympics concluded after 13 days around Tokyo , while s the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Blue Impulse aerobatic flight team made a commemorative flight over Tokyo on Tuesday – illuminating the skies in the Games’ colours of blue, red and green.
Swimmer Ellie Simmonds and archer John Stubbs had the honour of being selected as Great Britain’s flag bearers for the opening ceremony as they led their team-mates out in the Japanese capital.
Simmonds, 26, is Great Britain’s first female flag bearer at a summer Paralympics since fellow swimmer Maggie McEleny in 2000.
The opening ceremony included dancing from performers during a vibrant display in Tokyo
Spectators outside the Olympic Stadium take pictures as a firework display illuminates the sky
Speaking on Monday, Simmonds told of her immense pride. ‘I’m hugely honoured to carry the flag for the Paralympics GB team – on behalf of all the athletes, support staff and for the entire nation back home.
‘Just to be here in Tokyo is amazing but to carry the flag is the icing on the cake and I can’t wait for the competition to start.’
At the age of 56, Stubbs is the oldest athlete on the Paralympics GB team.
He said: ‘I felt incredibly emotional when I was told the news. For any elite athlete to go to the Games and be bestowed this honour is a privilege. Words can’t describe what it means to me.
‘It’s been a torrid year – unfortunately I lost my Dad in January. He was my biggest fan, and hopefully if he’s looking down on me, he’s there saying: ‘Do it for the Stubbs family John, you’ve earned it and you deserve it’. I know my family will be as proud as punch.’
Members of Team Iran make their way to the Paralympics opening ceremony on Tuesday
Part of the Refugee Paralympic Team pose for a selfie before making their way into the stadium
To add to the aesthetics there was the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Blue Impulse aerobatic flight team made a commemorative flight over Tokyo on Tuesday
Earlier in the day the torch relay for the Paralympics concluded after 13 days around Tokyo