SportAccord and GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli today shared a message of support with the global sports community ahead of the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
“In spite of all the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, 162 delegations, including the Refugee Paralympic Team, will compete in the Paralympic Games across 22 sports. This is a remarkable achievement!
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish the very best of luck to the some 4,500 athletes set to compete for 529 medals. Thanks to the International Paralympic Committee, the athletes, the coaches and the hosts Japan, I have no doubt there will be so many incredible moments of sporting excellence, solidarity and teamwork over these next 12 days of competition. The Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will empower people around the world to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion.
“I would also like to sincerely congratulate Bhutan, Grenada, Maldives, Paraguay, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, all of whom will compete for the first time in a Paralympic Games at Tokyo 2020.”