Tokyo Paralympics opens with fireworks and protests - in pictures

Games will run until September 5 with shadow of coronavirus hanging over country

People take pictures of fireworks during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday August 24, 2021. Reuters

Fireworks illuminate over National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo. AP

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, centre, Japanese Emperor Naruhito, right, arrive for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Getty

Performers during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Getty

Fireworks over the National Stadium in Tokyo during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics. AP

The Japanese national flag is carried into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Getty

Fireworks light up the sky above the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. AFP

The Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. Reuters

Performers during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics. AP

Healthcare workers present the Japanese flag. Reuters

The Japanese national flag is carried ahead of the opening ceremony. Reuters

Fireworks over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Getty

Fireworks during the opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. AFP

Performers dance during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Getty

Chef de Mission of Refugee Paralympic Team Ileana Rodriguez takes a selfie during their arrival at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Getty

Members of Refugee Paralympic Team before the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Getty

The Japan Air Self-Defence Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic flight team makes a commemorative flight over Tokyo ahead of the Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony. EPA

Protesters demonstrate next to police in Tokyo before the Paralympics opening ceremony. Reuters

Protesters jostle with police ahead of the Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony. Reuters

Protesters during the Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony. Reuters

Protestors at the Tokyo Paralympics. Reuters

Flags of the participating nations are displayed in the parade of athletes during the opening ceremony. Getty

The Paralympic torch during the opening ceremony. EPA

Torchbearers Yui Kamiji, Shunsuke Uchida and Karin Morisaki. EPA

Opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Reuters

Performers take part in the opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. AFP

Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. AFP

A performer during the opening ceremony in Tokyo. AFP

Opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Getty

Performers during the opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. AFP

Yui Kamiji of Team Japan prepares to light the Paralympic flame. Getty

Just like the Tokyo Olympics, the Paralympics too opened with fireworks and protests on Tuesday.

The 2020 Paralympics began in the capital as Japan struggled with a major Covid-19 outbreak.

Organisers had said last week that the Paralympics will be held under “very difficult” circumstances as Japan's health system felt the strain of the pandemic. The situation was grim as the Olympic Games ended on August 8 and has only worsened since.

That was evident in the protests outside the Olympic Stadium as locals expressed their anger over the prevailing conditions.

Inside the stadium, Japan's Emperor Naruhito declared the event open before a largely empty stadium. It was a big moment for over 4,400 athletes from 162 teams after the disappointment of the postponement and concerns about a possible cancellation.

Among the competitors are Germany's world record-setting long-jumper Markus Rehm and Japan's wheelchair tennis legend Shingo Kunieda.

China are expected to continue their Paralympic gold medal dominance. Hosts Japan will be hoping their record 254-strong team can repeat the country's Olympic gold rush.

This year's Paralympics will feature 22 sports, with badminton and taekwondo appearing for the first time.

Japan reported more than 25,000 daily cases on three days last week, up from less than 15,000 when the Olympics concluded earlier this month.

The Paralympics will run until September 5 and organisers have said they plan to implement the same protocols as the ones used during the Olympics.

Almost all spectators will be barred from venues. However, a school programme to bring children to some events is still going ahead.