Tokyo 2020 confirms Paralympic schedule for 2021

04/08/2020

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has announced the Paralympic competition schedule, following the Games’ postponement to 2021.

Featuring 539 events across 22 sports contested at 21 venues, the Paralympic Games will take place in the Japanese capital city from 24 August – 5 September.

International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Federation (IWAS) Wheelchair Fencing will be one of the first sports to get underway.

Men’s and women’s sabre category A and B will kick-start five days of action on 25 August, all of which will feature medal events.

The individual and team epee follows on 26 and 27 August ahead of the individual and team foil on the final two days.

The Makuhari Messe Hall B will stage all events.

Two wheelchair fencers battle on the piste at the Rio 2016 Paralympics
Credit: OIS/IOC

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons said: “The announcement of the competition schedule is always a key milestone for all Paralympic Games.

“With just over one year to go, Para athletes can now see when they will be competing, and spectators can start to plan which events they either want to attend in person or view on television.”

Of the total 300 sessions, 109 will include medal events. Overall, events have been scheduled at family-friendly times that will allow as many people as possible to experience them. The latest sessions in 18 out of the 22 sports are scheduled to finish before or at 10 p.m. local time.

Parsons added: “We are pleased that this schedule has been finalised so quickly following March’s postponement and that it again follows timings that are suitable for a family audience to engage with the Games.”

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics will also feature a number of athletes from other sports who have competed at the IWAS World Games in the past.

The IWAS World Games are one of the world’s biggest gatherings of athletes with physical impairments. A multi-sport event where champions are born, they have helped produce some of the best Paralympians over the years.

Ntando Mahlangu running
South Africa’s Ntando Mahlangu took his first steps into high-level sport in 2015 at the IWAS World Youth Games and is now a Paralympic medallist