Highlights From the Tokyo Paralympics Opening Ceremony The parade of nations was led by members of the refugee team, and the absent Afghan athletes were represented by a volunteer flag bearer. The low turnout may be partly because the Paralympic ceremony landed on a weekday, while the opening ceremony of the Olympics took place on a Friday night, and the closing festivities on a Sunday. “We didn’t come on the day of the opening ceremony for the Olympics, because we thought there would be too many people,” Ohkawa said. The Refugee Paralympic Team leading the parade of nations into the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympic Games. “We didn’t come on the day of the opening ceremony for the Olympics, because we thought there would be too many people,” Ohkawa said.

Source: International New York Times August 24, 2021 10:50 UTC