(ATR) IPC President Andrew Parsons officially invites athletes from all over the world to attend the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
The invitation ceremony, which was also attended by Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori, was part of the chefs de mission seminar hosted by Tokyo organizers this week.
"It is a symbolic moment here where we invite athletes to come to Tokyo in less than one year in what will certainly be Games that will take the Paralympic Movement to the next level," Parsons said.
Around 250 National Paralympic Committee (NPC) delegates and International Paralympic Committee members attended the seminar, which included briefings on the progress of preparations for the Games and the Games plan.
NPC delegates also had the opportunity to visit some of the venues, including the Olympic stadium, the Paralympic Village, and either the Bay Zone or Heritage Zone clusters in Tokyo. On Friday, they were also invited to visit cycling venues in Izu, outside Tokyo.
During the seminar, Tokyo 2020 organizers said they were available for one-on-one meetings at the request of NPCs.
"The Japanese citizens are very enthusiastic about the Paralympic Games, sufficient momentum has been built up with one year to go, and Tokyo 2020 has made the effort to create a stage second to none to enable athletes to give their best performances," Mori said.
"Tokyo is the first city to host the Summer Paralympic Games twice and we want to promote the Paralympic Movement, provide the same opportunities to all, and help creating an inclusive society."
The 16th Summer Paralympic Games will run from August 25 to Sept.6 next year. Tokyo first hosted the Paralympics in 1964 alongside the Summer Olympics.
Written by Gerard Farek
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