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A World Record Has Already Fallen At Paralympics. Watch It!
The Games Kicked Off Today
The 2020 Paralympics kicked off today in Tokyo, Japan, with a record-breaking performance by Uzbekistan's powerlifter.
Here are some of the highlights from the opening day:
- Uzbekistan's powerlifter sets a new world record – Akmal Ergashev lifted 184kg in the men's 59kg category, smashing the previous record by 1kg.
- China tops the medal table – China won six gold medals on the opening day, followed by Great Britain with three and Ukraine with two.
- The United States wins its first gold medal – Jessica Long won the women's 100m butterfly S8, giving the United States its first gold medal of the Games. The 29 year old Long has 23 total Paralympic medals, including 13 golds.
- The Games are being held under strict COVID-19 protocols – All athletes and staff are required to be vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving in Tokyo. Masks are also required in all indoor venues.
- No spectators are allowed at the Games – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, no spectators are allowed at the Paralympics. However, the Games are being broadcast live on television and online.
The Paralympics will continue until September 5th. Stay tuned for more updates on the exciting moments the Games have to offer!