Tokyo, Japan, August 24, 2021: A record 1,853 female athletes will take part in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the biggest ever, which got underway with a spectacular opening ceremony on Tuesday night, August 24, at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Host nation Japan will have the most athletes at the Games with 254, nearly double their delegation at Rio 2016, competing in the 22 sports.
A total of 4,403 athletes - 2,250 male and 1,853 female – from 162 delegations have turned up in Tokyo which has now set a record for most athletes at a Paralympic Games.
Andrew Parsons, International Paralympic Committee President, speaking at the opening ceremony said: “To break the record for the highest number of athletes at Tokyo 2020 is testament to the tremendous work of all National Paralympic Committees and International Federations who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during the most testing of times.
“Over the coming days the outstanding performances of the Paralympians will smash stereotypes and demonstrate why persons with disabilities need to be active, visible and contributing members of a global society now, more than ever.”
Commenting on the record number of female athletes – the previous high was 1,671 at Rio 2016 – Parsons said: “It is absolutely fantastic news that more women than ever before will compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and a lot of credit needs to go to the NPCs and International Federations for ensuring the continued growth in numbers.”
Following Japan, the next biggest delegation is China with 248 athletes.
The Paralympic Games will end on September 5.
