Paralympics give a voice to people with disabilities left amid COVID-19: IPC

According to International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons, the Tokyo Paralympics will give a voice to people with disabilities who've been left down amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Paralympic Games will begin on 24th August after the Tokyo 2020 Games were postponed given the global health crisis, and Parsons said it was time to reflect on the "incredible experience" athletes will have in Japan.

He spoke to paralympic.org, "Now is the time to give the world's billion disabled people a voice at a time when they desperately need it, as they've been left behind during a crisis."

A rise in COVID-19 infections in Japan has prompted health professionals and medical associations to express their fears about the Olympics, while hundreds of thousands of people have signed an online petition calling for the Games to be cancelled.

COVID-19 testing, movement limits, and a decrease in the number of participants are among the steps in place, according to Parsons, so athletes can be assured of a healthy experience in Tokyo.

"We're doing everything we can to protect not just the athletes, but also the Japanese people," Parsons said.

"Since we built it that way, the chances of someone testing positive at the Games and also making contact with a local are extremely remote."

"Not only will this experience be incredible on the field of play, but it will also be extremely safe."