The long awaited Tokyo Paralympics have finally taken flight with an aeroplane-themed opening ceremony, precisely 364 days later than planned and 17 months since being postponed due to COVID-19.
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday were among those present for a landmark moment organisers and many athletes feared may never happen.
"Many thought it impossible but thanks to the efforts of many the most transformative event on earth is about to begin," International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons said ahead of 12 days of action.
"We Have Wings" was the theme of the lengthy ceremony and emblazoned on the floor of an almost-empty Olympic Stadium which had been transformed into a "Para Airport".
Selected dignitaries, volunteers and members of the media were the extent of the scant audience, a stark reminder of the ongoing pandemic and rising cases of COVID-19 in the host country which have cast a shadow over the event.
Giant propellers and balloons surrounded the outer stage, forming the Paralympic Agitos, while 100 "crew members" waved scarves in the colours of the logo - red, green and blue - followed by a fireworks display.
The six-strong Refugee Paralympic Team entered first, beginning a procession of competitors from around the world.
Afghanistan-born swimmer Abbas Karimi, who was born without arms, and club throw athlete Alia Issa - a Syrian refugee and the team's first female member - carried their flag.
Notable absentees were New Zealand and Afghanistan.
The Kiwi contingent opted to send a sole representative as flag bearer due to COVID-19 fears, while the Afghan flag was flown by the IPC as a sign of solidarity after athletes from the country were denied a chance to perform by the uncertainty caused by the recent Taliban takeover.
A total of 162 delegations, three more than Rio 2016, are poised take part in the Games.
Bhutan, Grenada, Maldives, Paraguay and St Vincent and the Grenadines are making debuts.
Japan's team is the largest with 260 members..
Tokyo is making history as the first city to host the summer Paralympic Games for a second time, having also done so in 1964.
The lighting of the Paralympic Cauldron by three wheelchair-bound medical professionals - Taro Nakamura, Tamami Tamura and Famio Usui - provided a fitting end to an immensely challenging build-up.
Seven of the 22 Paralympic sports are set to feature when the action gets underway on Wednesday.
Australian Associated Press
