The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics would have kicked off tomorrow with opening ceremonies from Japan.
Though the worldwide coronavirus pandemic pushed the event a year into the future, top Paralympians are already looking forward, celebrating the new “one year til Tokyo” date on social media today.
The original August 25 opening ceremonies were pushed forward by 364 days. That means the newly-scheduled opening ceremony date comes exactly one year from today. The Tokyo Paralympics will now run from Tuesday, August 24 to Sunday, September 5 of 2021.
Here’s a few of the top social media posts celebrating the one-year marker – albeit for the second time:
Masks can’t hide Team GBR’s smiles
Tokyo 2⃣0⃣2⃣1⃣ @Paralympics, we're coming for you! #OneYearToGo 🎉😁 pic.twitter.com/DilVd0PD5Z
— Aquatics GB (@Aquatics_GB) August 24, 2020
1. Year. To. Go.
A lot of things in our world has changed. But the goal remains the same.
I’ll see you #Tokyo2020NE 🇯🇵#Paralympics #Swimming #WaitForTheGreats #Countdown #OneYearToGo @cdnparalympics @SwimmingNL @SwimmingCanada @SpeedoCanada pic.twitter.com/27CdXo95oA
— Katarina M Roxon PLY, ONL (@Katarina_Roxon) August 24, 2020
In one year, the world celebrates the power, determination, and joy of sport. #Paralympicshttps://t.co/ywdxk08gJK
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/JessicaLong/status/1297931822014267398
The iconic Tokyo Skytree lights up to celebrate the #1YearToGo milestone to #Tokyo2020 ✨#1YearToGo #WaitForTheGreats @Paralympics pic.twitter.com/nFaPjyE4Os
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) August 24, 2020
1 year to go (again) #Tokyo2020ne
Be part of @ParalympicsGB’s journey to Tokyo in 2021. Join our team at https://t.co/q7BXQ4Dlrf#ImpossibleToIgnore pic.twitter.com/c9j3Q8y4Do
— Claire Cashmore MBE PLY (@ClaireCashmore) August 24, 2020
In 2016, China led all Paralympic swimming teams with 37 gold medals and 92 overall medals. Ukraine was second with 25 golds and 74 total medals. Belarusian Ihar Boki won an astounding six golds and one bronze, leading all athletes in gold medals, while three athletes tied for the lead at 9 total medals: Daniel Dias of Brazil (4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), Yelyzaveta Mereshko of the Ukraine (4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), and Ievgenii Bogodaiko of the Ukraine (4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze).