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B RILLIA NT- ON LIN E SEP TEM B ER 2021
PARALYMPIC HEROES ✦ The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics were an absolute triumph in so many ways with an array of stereotype-defying, record-shattering performances witnessed.
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he Tokyo 2020 Paralympics may have come after the Olympics on a timeline perspective but there was no doubt that the competing athletes and their tales of triumph over adversity were at least on parity after a pulsating 13-day festival of sport in the Japanese capital. The COVID-19 pandemic that is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to derail and disrupt so much may have delayed the Games by a full year but it could not, ultimately, stop the event and all the wonderful stories that emerged from happening. It was a genuine marvel to witness so many gifted athletes plying their trade despite serious impairment and a reminder to the world during difficult times that, no matter what your challenge may be, you can always rise above it and prevail. The Games not only had breathtaking feats on the court, the track, in the pool and elsewhere but was littered with sub-plots that only added to the magical spirit of the occasion. There was the story of two Afghan paralympians who feared they would be trapped in their homeland under the newly-established Taliban regime and miss out altogether on their dream of competing in Tokyo. A last minute “secret evacuation” after a video plea saw the pair finally arrive in Japan via Paris. One of the athletes had arrived late and missed his discipline but organisers arranged for him to participate in another event so as he could realise his dream. There were tales of veterans from Afghanistan competing. Australian canoeist Curtis McGrath, who lost his legs while serving, won his second
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2020 Tokyo Paralympics - Day 12 Tokyo , Japan- September 05: Hossain Rasouli and Zakia Khudadadi of Team Afghanistan during the Closing Ceremony on day 12 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium on September 05, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo Credit: Alex Davidson/Getty Images for International Paralympic Committee
