Tokyo's Paralympic Games open with athletes hoping to shatter stereotypes and world records despite a year-long pandemic delay and the spectre of a new wave of virus cases in Japan, AFP reports.
The ongoing health crisis will hang over every aspect of the Games, with Japan's Emperor Naruhito declaring the event open before a largely empty stadium as virus rules mean spectators are banned from almost all events.
Still, for over 4,400 athletes from 162 teams, the Games are a long-awaited moment, after the disappointment of the postponement and worries about a potential cancellation.
China is expected to continue its long-running Paralympic gold medal dominance, but host Japan will be hoping its record 254-strong team can repeat the country's Olympic gold rush.
