John Stubbs and Ellie Simmonds led a 17-strong ParalympicsGB team
Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan on BBC Dates: 24 Aug-5 Sep Time in Tokyo: BST+8 Coverage: Follow Radio 5 Live or on the BBC Sport Website
Paralympic athletes understand that the wind can be harnessed to propel them forward, no matter how it blows. They know that courage and spreading their wings can help them reach incredible heights.
Tokyo 2020 organizers said it best when the Paralympic Games opened finally, 364 days after they were scheduled and after a year of great difficulties.
Five years have passed since the competitors bid 'tchau to Rio. It is now the turn of Paralympics to bid "konnichi wa" to Tokyo.
Opening ceremonies were full of celebration and colour, interspersed with a touch poignancy by a concept called 'We Have Wings'. Organisers stated that the idea was meant to raise awareness about the bravery of Paralympians.
Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee said in his opening speech, "I can't believe we're finally here."
"Many people doubted that this day would come." Many believed it impossible. The most transformative sporting event on Earth is now possible thanks to the hard work of many.
These Games will be different from previous games. However, as the Olympics demonstrated just a few months ago, sport's power will triumph.
It can also create "winds for change".
We haven't visited an airport for nearly 18 months. However, Tuesday's opening ceremony at Tokyo's National Stadium took us to Para Airport.
We met the Little One-Wingedplane. She was convinced that she can't fly because she only has one wing. Gradually she changes her mind, is inspired by the resilience displayed around her and gains enough confidence to take off on her own adventure.
Yui Wago, the Little One-Winged Plane
Although there were not many people present to see the opening ceremony as is the case throughout the Games' duration, it was still a spectacle, a riot of colour and celebration.
There were also sombre moments that were reflective of the 17-month-old events. One rescue worker carried the Japanese flag into the stadium. The Paralympic flag was given to eight workers who helped the Japanese people in their daily lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Out of the 714 cast members who performed in the opening ceremony's inaugural ceremony, 166 had impairments. It is hoped that the Games in Japan will be a catalyst to change society's attitudes toward disability.
A parade of athletes was held, with Ellie Simmonds, swimmer, and John Stubbs, archer, carrying the flag for Great Britain. They led a 17-strong British delegation into stadium.
Simmonds, a Paralympic medallist eight times, later called it "one of her proudest moments" external-link.
As an act of solidarity, a Games volunteer carried the Afghanistan flag in his hand. This was after the two Paralympic athletes from Afghanistan were forced to withdraw due to the political situation and the return of Taliban.
Volunteer carries the Afghanistan flag to the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Paralympic athletes placed the Paralympic cauldron lower than their Olympic counterparts so that they can "feel an affection" with it. It opened like a flower to "embody hope and vitality", and was lit up by three Japanese Para-athletes.
Around 4,400 athletes representing 162 national Paralympic Committees will compete in 539 events across 22 sports in Tokyo. This is the second time Tokyo has hosted the summer Paralympics.
"Paralympians! You gave everything to be here. Blood, sweat, and tears. Parsons said, "Now is your chance to show the world that you have skill, strength, and determination."
"If you have been labelled by the world, it is time for you to be relabelled as a champion, hero or friend, colleague, role model or just human. You are the best human beings and can choose who and what you will be.
You are the truth. You are extraordinary. You will choose to be the best in any plan.
Your performances can change your life. They will also change the lives of over 1.2 billion people forever. This is the power and potential of sport to change lives and communities. Sport is the key to change. Paralympic athletes will be changing the world starting tomorrow.
Great Britain won 147 medals in Rio, including 64 golds. It's time to see what Tokyo has.
