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2020 Tokyo Paralympics under way

Paralympics - Level 0

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games have started. There will be 539 events in 22 sports over 12 days. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said there are 161 countries and 4,500 para athletes. Japan's emperor wished all athletes "the very best". The IPC said the Paralympics were fantastic and could change society.

The IPC said: "Thanks to the efforts of many people, the most transformative sport event on Earth is about to begin." A 14-year-old swimmer was excited. She said: "I feel like I'm meeting movie stars." She added: "Since it's the Paralympics and everybody else is disabled, I feel really comfortable."

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Paralympics - Level 1

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games have begun. The 12-day competition has 539 events in 22 sports. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said 161 countries and 4,500 para athletes will take part. Japan's emperor opened the Games. He said: "I would like to join you in wishing all athletes the very best." The IPC president said the Paralympics were "fantastic to watch" and have the ability to change society.

The Games should have taken place last year but coronavirus postponed them. The IPC president said: "I cannot believe we are finally here.…Thanks to the efforts of many, the most transformative sport event on Earth is about to begin." A 14-year-old swimmer spoke about her excitement. She said: "I feel like I'm meeting movie stars." She added: "Since it's the Paralympics and everybody else is disabled, I feel really comfortable."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Paralympics - Level 2

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The 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games have begun after the opening ceremony at Japan's National Stadium. The 12-day sporting celebration has 539 events in 22 para sports. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said 161 countries and 4,500 para athletes are taking part. This includes the Refugee Paralympic Team. Japan's emperor opened the Games. He said: "I would like to join you in wishing all athletes the very best." The IPC president said: "The Paralympics are not just fantastic to watch, they also have the ability to transform society."

The Games should have taken place last year. The coronavirus pandemic postponed them. The IPC president spoke about his happiness at the event happening. He said: "I cannot believe we are finally here.…Many thought it was impossible. But, thanks to the efforts of many, the most transformative sport event on Earth is about to begin." A 14-year-old Ugandan swimmer summed up her excitement about the Games. She said: "I feel like I'm meeting movie stars." She added: "Since it's the Paralympics and everybody else is disabled, I feel really comfortable."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Paralympics - Level 3

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games began on Tuesday night with the opening ceremony at Japan's National Stadium. The twelve-day sporting celebration includes a total of 539 events in 22 para sports. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said a total of 161 countries and 4,500 para athletes are taking part in the Games. This includes the Refugee Paralympic Team. The opening ceremony took place in an empty stadium. Japan's Emperor Naruhito opened the Games. He said: "I would like to join you in wishing all athletes the very best." The IPC president said: "The Paralympics are not just fantastic to watch, they also have the ability to transform society like no other sports event on this planet."

The Games should have taken place last year but were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The IPC president Andrew Parsons spoke about his happiness at the event finally happening. He said: "I cannot believe we are finally here. Many people doubted this day would happen. Many thought it was impossible. But, thanks to the efforts of many, the most transformative sport event on Earth is about to begin." A 14-year-old Ugandan swimmer, Husnah Kukundakwe, summed up her excitement about being at the Games. She said: "I feel like I'm meeting movie stars." She added: "Since it's the Paralympics and everybody else is disabled, I feel really comfortable."

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