The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games officially got underway today with the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium.
The Irish team were the third of the competing nations to be introduced to those in attendance and were led out by flag bearers, Britney Arendse and Jordan Lee.
"Arigato Japan, arigato Tokyo" said International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, using the Japanese word for thank you and referring to the Covid-19 crisis in the city. "We will honour your trust."
Parsons said the outstanding legacy the Games would leave Japan with "a new perception of people with disabilities".
He added: "The Paralympic games are a platform for change, but every four years is not enough. It is up to each and every one of us to play our part every day to make for a more inclusive society. Difference is a strength, not a weakness.
"You are the truth. You are amazing," he told the athletes. "Change starts with sport."
Thoughts now turn to the competition itself as the first Irish athletes will start their campaigns for Paralympic glory tomorrow on a busy day for the Irish.
The first Irish athlete to compete in Tokyo will be Barry McClements who is due in the pool for his S9 400m Freestyle heat at 1.06am Irish time. He will be joined by fellow swimmers Nicole Turner (S6 50mFreestyle) at 2.24am and first-time Paralympian Róisín Ní Riain in the 100m Butterfly at 2.24am.
Meanwhile, at the Velodrome in Izu, Richael Timothy will be the first of a strong Irish para cycling team that will compete throughout the Games.
Timothy gets her competition underway at 2.00am in the qualifier for the C1-C3 3000m Individual pursuit and should she qualify she will return for the final at 5.45am.
Colin Judge's table tennis schedule has seen some slight changes and he will now compete on Day 1 at 1.40am Irish time before returning to action on Day 2 for the second match in his three-person group.
Changes elsewhere also mean that Michael McKillop will now compete in a straight final in the T37/38 1500m on 4 September and will no longer have a heat whilst Greta Streimikyte will now have a heat on 27 August in her T13 1500m and, should she qualify, will return for the final on 28 August.
Follow all the action from the Paralympic Games with our coverage on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, watch live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player or listen to updates and live commentaries on RTÉ Radio.
