Paralympics 2021 opening ceremony: Start date, time and event details
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. An estimated 4,350 athletes from 160 countries will take part in 539 events across 22 sports in 21 venues, beginning with an exciting schedule of track cycling, swimming and wheelchair fencing on Day One. Sports like wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby are again expected to be a huge draw while this latest installment of the Games will see para badminton and para taekwondo make their debuts at this elite level and a number of relatively recent additions return to the Olympic roster, including shooting, canoeing and triathlon. Around 240 athletes will be part of Paralympics GB in Japan, involved in 19 sports, with wheelchair tennis star Jordanne Whiley one of our most exciting prospects. Ade Adepitan will anchor Channel 4’s coverage The Opening Ceremony proper follows four days later in the Olympic Stadium and promises to be every bit as sensitively judged and creative as its July predecessor.