With the closure of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the countdown to the Paralympic Games has started, with Paralympians from all around the world making their way to Tokyo to seek glory.
The Metro reports that the 2020 Paralympics kicks off on Tuesday 24 August, a fortnight after the end of the Olympic Games, and comes to a close on Sunday 5 September. Team GB is the second most medal-winning nation to have competed in the games, winning 626 gold medals, 584 silver, and 579 bronze since the inception of the Paralympics in 1960 in Rome.
The Paralympics have a much longer history than many people realise, and Japan is a key part of it. To set the scene, here’s some interesting Paralympic trivia to help get you pumped up for the upcoming Paralympic Games.
Tokyo is the first city in the world to hold the Paralympics twice
This year’s Paralympic Games makes Tokyo the first and only city to have hosted the Games twice, the first being in 1964. The UK and the US, and now Japan have both hosted the Paralympics twice, but it is the first time a city has had the honour.
Two new parasports will be introduced this year
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics will debut badminton and taekwondo as new parasports. Both these sports begin on 1 and 2 September respectively and bring the total number of Paralympic sports to 22.
You can tell the Paralympic medals apart just by touching them
Just like the medals presented at the Olympics, the Paralympic medals are also made from recycled metal sourced from electronics such as mobile phones. However, the Paralympic medals will feature indentations that will help the visually impaired differentiate between them.
The gold medal will have one indentation, two for silver and three for bronze. Each medal will also feature braille letters spelling out ‘Tokyo 2020’.
The Japanese government has asserted to competitors that their accommodation will be wheelchair accessible, and feature mobility bathrooms.
If you are interested in finding out more information about mobility bathrooms call us on 01491 411041 or visit our website.
2 September,2021
