‘Tokyo 2020 Paralympics are the most critical Games in history’

Para athletes to carry the hopes of world’s one billion people with disabilities 28 Apr 2021
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A monitor shows the IOC's Olympic Games Operations Director Pierre Ducrey and IPC's Chief Brand and Communications Officer Craig Spence participating remotely in the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks Press Briefing
Second editions of Tokyo 2020 Playbooks launched
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By IPC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) expressed its confidence Japan is in a strong position to deliver safe and successful Games and bring a message of hope to the world following a press briefing held on 28 April to launch the second edition of the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks. 

These Playbooks provide more specific details to participants about the countermeasures that will help ensure delivery of Games, as well as special considerations for people with disabilities. They are the result of a team effort by the IPC, International Olympic Committee (IOC), Tokyo 2020, Government of Japan and Tokyo Metropolitan Government. 

Craig Spence, IPC’s Chief of Brand & Communications, explained: “Athletes will head to Tokyo carrying their own personal hopes, as well as the hopes of their nations.  

“For the Paralympics, Para athletes also carry the hopes of the world’s one billion persons with disabilities who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. 

“At a time when the UN 2030 Agenda is all about leaving no-one behind, COVID-19 has increased discrimination and left the world’s 15 per cent with a disability more marginalised than ever. 

“This is why the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics are the most critical Games in the history of the Paralympic Movement. With billions watching around the globe, the outstanding performances of 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. 

“A huge thank you to our Japanese partners - the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, Government of Japan and Tokyo Metropolitan Government - for their continued dedicated and commitment to deliver historic Games.” 

IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi said: “The Playbooks have been a building block with Tokyo 2020, the IOC and the IPC, but most importantly they build on the tripartite work that you in Tokyo have done with the government of Japan and the municipal government. For this, you should be commended and thanked. 

“What has driven us all this time is to make sure we can deliver Games that are safe for Japan, for our hosts, making sure that everyone follows very strict protocols. And what you see in the Playbooks is the result of that work. We also want to make sure that the participants are safe and they take it upon themselves to guarantee their own safety and the safety of others.” 

Playbooks are available on the IPC website