Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Two years to the day after the start of the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Tokyo Governor KOIKE Yuriko inaugurated an event in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to promote a more inclusive society. 

Joining the governor in promoting the event were para-cyclists and three wheelchair racing champions, some of whom will be hoping to take part in next year’s Paralympics in Paris.

The three wheelchair athletes took turns racing on the road in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings and there was also a demonstration of tandem para-cycling.

Among the three wheelchair athletes, Olympic champion SATO Tomoki, who won gold medals at the IPC World Championships in Qatar in 2015 and in Dubai in 2019, said that he wanted to achieve consecutive victories in the 400 meters and a new world record in Paris.

Sato also emphasized that he wants to broaden the promotion of para-sports by paying tribute to those who supported him in his efforts.

ODA Tokito, a wheelchair tennis player and semi-finalist at the French Open in 2022, said he was not focused on the Paralympic Games in Paris yet because there were still many other competitions on his schedule.

The Paris Paralympics will begin on August 28 next year.