Afghanistan flag to be displayed in Paralympic ceremony in absence of athletes
Despite the fact that Afghanistan’s athletes were unable to compete in Tokyo, the country’s flag will be flown at the Paralympic ceremony on Tuesday.
The International Paralympic Committee’s president, Andrew Parsons, said Monday that it will be done as a “show of solidarity.”
During the opening ceremony, a representative from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will carry the flag in the National Stadium, according to Parsons. It’s the same venue where the Olympics’ opening ceremony took place on July 23.
After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan more than a week ago, two paralympic athletes from Afghanistan were unable to travel to Tokyo. Zakia Khudadadi, a para-taekwondo athlete, and Hossain Rasouli, a discus thrower, are the two athletes.
In Tokyo, 162 delegations will be represented, including refugee athletes, according to Parsons. According to the International Paralympic Committee, approximately 4,400 athletes will compete in the Paralympics. On Tuesday, the actual figure will be revealed.
The IPC and the organizers claim there is no link between the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic ceremony and the rising instances in the broader Tokyo population.
