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TODAY IS THE DAY! Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Opening Ceremony – and the bigger picture
Written by BCCJ
August 24, 2021
Community and Business, Diversity & Inclusion, UK-Japan Relations
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Get ready for some truly incredible sport, The Paralympic Games are finally here, and ready to bring another wave of sporting excitement to the world. Over 500 gold medals are up for grabs in Tokyo with more than 4,000 athletes determined to etch their names into the history books. Last minute preparations are underway for tonight’s Opening Ceremony, to begin in just over two hours (August 24, 2000-2300 JST), and the BCCJ team is feeling excited! Check out this teaser video (00:32) to see what’s in store . . .
(BREAKING NEWS – Afghanistan flag to feature in Paralympic opening ceremony as a show of ‘solidarity’) |
How to watch the Paralympic Games |
 Coverage of this year’s Paralympics is set to be more extensive than ever before, with hours of live stream available throughout the 12-days of action. There are various ways to tune in, from the opening ceremony to amazing celebrations of athletes from around the world.
You will be able to watch every moment from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games live thanks to the Official Paralympic Broadcast Partners. They will bring all the excitement and drama of the Paralympic Games to you, live & on-demand, with the most comprehensive, relevant and tailored offerings wherever you are. Your local Tokyo 2020 broadcaster(s) are listed here: BROADCASTERS BY COUNTRY Please refer to respective broadcast schedules for details of when and how to watch. Kindly note that information may be subject to change. ——— JAPAN – NHK Paralympics viewing schedule for Japan: HERE [Comprehensive] [E-Tele] UK – CHANNEL 4 Fans in the UK and anyone with a VPN will be delighted to know that there will be live coverage and highlights on Channel 4 throughout. Channel 4 has a range of expert presenters and for the first time, over 70% of the team have disabilities. |
Last night’s Paralliance event |
 Last night we were proud to host a special event with the Paralliance – a coalition of 20 international chambers of commerce in Japan. As well as a presentation by Dr Mark Bookman, historian of disability in Japanese and global contexts at the University of Tokyo, the session featured the chance to network in breakout rooms with Paralympic athletes Noel Thatcher (Great Britain) and Andreas Onea (Austria). In his keynote address, Dr Bookman used the Tokyo 1964 and 2020 Paralympic Games as case studies to explain how activists and legislation have and succeeded (and sometimes failed) to point a way forward for people with an impairment, who, according to the United Nations, make up 15% of the world’s population. A summary of the event will feature on the BCCJ website, soon!
Andreas, whose first event of Tokyo 2020 will be the Men’s 100m Breaststroke this Thursday, says that most athletes will be posting their upcoming events on their social media channels. We encourage you to check your favourite atheletes’ Instagram and Twitter accounts, so you don’t miss them competing live. |
WeThe15 Campaign |
 It is estimated that 15% of the world’s population has a disability . . .
WeThe15 is a newly-launched alliance of global organizations related to sports, human rights, policy, business, arts and entertainment, led primarily by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Disability Alliance (IDA). Craig Spence, IPC Chief Brand & Communications Officer says, “WeThe15 is a decade long campaign bringing together the biggest coalition of international organizations ever to work towards a common goals: to end discrimination and transform the lives of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities who make up 15% of the global population. This could be a game changer of a campaign looking to initiate change from governments, business and the general public. By doing so we can place disability at the heart of the diversity and inclusion agenda.” READ MORE HERE, in an article by Roy Tomizawa, co-chair of the international chambers in Japan “Paralliance”. |
ParalympiansGB Flagbearers |
 ParalympicsGB has announced four-time Paralympians and Paralympic champions Ellie Simmonds OBE (Swimming) and John Stubbs MBE (Archery) as the flagbearers for Great Britain at the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on Tuesday 24 August.
Ellie Simmonds said, “I’m hugely honoured to carry the flag for the ParalympicsGB team – on behalf of all the athletes, support staff and for the entire nation back home. To go the Paralympic Games and be given the opportunity to do that is just amazing. This is going to be my fourth games and my first opening ceremony. 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.” John Stubbs said, “It’s an absolute honour to be representing ParalympicsGB as flag bearer alongside Ellie. 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.” Keep up to date with British Paralympic Association HERE |
Can we support your company’s Paralympic athletes? |
| Does your company have a Paralympic athlete competing in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games? Please let us know so we can cheer them on through BCCJ comms channels! |
About the Paralliance |
 The Paralliance is a coalition of 20 international chambers of commerce in Japan. This group was created in early 2020, to support the success of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Mission Support Japan’s delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, fostering a legacy of more inclusive communities and embracing opportunities for international business and exchange. Pledge Members
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Keep in touch! |
| We always love to hear from you, especially on the topic of the 2020 Paralympics.
We hope you enjoy every moment of these extraordinary Games! Email: [email protected] |
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