By Regina Elaine Vendivil

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics officially draws to a close with a vibrant closing ceremony themed “Harmonious Cacophony” that honored all para-athletes and differently-abled persons from around the world last Sunday night, September 5 at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo Japan. 

The ceremony kicked off with various festive acts performed by Japanese locals in front of a sea of empty seats due to the restrictions of COVID-19, which was followed by the entrance of their national flag.

Designated flag bearers of each participating country then entered and marched into the venue for the Parade of Nations as they proudly held their flags high. The parade was attended by fewer athletes than usual closing ceremonies as many already returned home. 

The Philippines was represented by a local volunteer as all Filipino para-athletes—Ernie Gawilan, Jerrold Mangliwan, Gary Bejino, and Jeanette Aceveda—have already returned home last Sunday. 

The Philippine Paralympic delegates were cut short into three after Aceveda, Guion, and Ganapin contracted COVID-19, forcing them to withdraw from the games. 

Despite not being able to bring home medals, the para-athletes still brought pride to the country with their exceptional performance during their stay in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. 

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike then passed the Paralympic flag to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo as she represented the France capital, the host for the 2024 Summer Games. Similar to the Olympics celebration, citizens celebrated in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. 

Right after the turnover, International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons declared the Paralympics closed.

“The Paralympic Games have not just been historic, they have been fantastic… Athletes broke records, athletes won hearts, athletes opened minds. Importantly, athletes changed lives,” said Parsons. 

Japanese performers then performed an emotional classic “What A Wonderful World” as the Paralympic flame in the mechanical cauldron was extinguished, officially marking the end of Tokyo’s hosting rights for the 2020 Summer Games. 

On the other hand, the Paris 2024 Olympics will take place on July 26 to August 11, 2024, while the upcoming Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is scheduled to commence on February 4 to February 20, 2022.

References: 

Dioquino, D. (2021, September 5). Paralympics wraps up in Tokyo with vibrant closing ceremony. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/sports/tokyo-paralympics-wraps-up-closing-ceremony

Kyodo News. (2021, September 5). Tokyo Games draw final curtain after COVID-19 adversity. Retrieved from https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/09/50c5b3415bb8-tokyo-paralympics-to-close-after-facing-covid-19-challenges.html 

Paralympic Games. (2021b, September 5). Closing Ceremony | Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91l_bjHRiiE 

Ramsay, G. & CNN. (2021, September 5). Tokyo Paralympics comes to an end with colorful and vibrant closing ceremony. CNN. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/05/sport/tokyo-paralympics-closing-ceremony-spt-intl/index.html 

Photo Source: paralympic.org