With the Tokyo Olympic Games providing the nation with a welcome respite from the Covid-19 news cycle, it’s time for the Paralympic Games to welcome the world back to Tokyo.
Like the Olympic Games, Seven will be the official broadcaster of the Paralympics. The games kick off on August 24th with the Opening Ceremony and will wrap up on September 5th.
See More: TV Guide: Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Opening Ceremony on Seven and 7Plus
Paralympics 2021 Sports
There will be 23 sports contested in the 2021 Paralympic Games, with two new additions for this year: badminton and taekwondo.
Archery (27 August – 4 September)
Athletics (27 August – 5 September)
Badminton (1 September – 5 September)
Boccia (28 August – 4 September)
Canoe Sprint (2 September – 4 September)
Cycling Road (31 August – 3 September)
Cycling Track (25 August – 28 August)
Equestrian (26 August – 30 August)
Football 5-a-side (29 August – 4 September)
Goalball (25 August – 3 September)
Judo (27 August – 29 August)
Powerlifting (26 August – 30 August)
Rowing (27 August – 29 August)
Shooting (30 August – 5 September)
Sitting Volleyball (27 August – 5 September)
Swimming (25 August – 3 September)
Table Tennis (25 August – 3 September)
Taekwondo (2 September – 4 September)
Triathlon (28 August – 29 August)
Wheelchair Basketball (25 August – 5 September)
Wheelchair Fencing (25 August – 29 August)
Wheelchair Rugby (25 August – 29 August)
Wheelchair Tennis (27 August – 4 September)
These Para athletes are sure to be on top form for #Tokyo2020 🔝
The world’s best #Paralympics athletes are getting familiar with the venues they will call home for the next 12 days 🏟️ #UnitedByEmotion pic.twitter.com/NfiYK0wRMc
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) August 23, 2021
Australians to Watch
Curtis McGrath
Taking up canoeing after losing both his legs in Afghanistan, McGrath took Australia’s first gold medal in Para-canoe at the 2016 Paralympic Games.
Jaryd Clifford
A vision imparied runner, Clifford was the first Paralympian to compete at the able-bodied U20 World Championships in 2018, and earned his spot as dual world champion and world record holder in the men’s 1500m T13 at the 2019 World Para-athletics Championships.
Erik Horrie
Horrie is an accomplished wheelchair basketballer, but – not content with only one sport – is representing the country in rowing. The five-time world champion is one of the most successful Australian para-rowers ever, and is chasing his first gold after earning silver at London and Rio.
Dylan Alcott
One of Australia’s most recognisable Paralympians, Alcott has won six consecutive Australian Open titles and is working towards a Golden Slam (all four majors and the Olympics) after he won the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon this year.
Ellie Cole
Training with Cate and Bronte Campbell, Cole currently holds a record-breaking 15 Paralympic medals. She won six of those across six events in Rio, and is off to defend her titles in Tokyo.
Madison de Rozario
Chasing gold after winning three silver medals in Rio, de Rozario is racing in four wheelchair events this year. Taking on the 800m up to the marathon, she has been training under wheelchair racer and Australian Paralympic Hall of Fame inductee Louise Sauvage.
Lina Lei
By the time she was only 15, Lei was a world para-table tennis champion in both singles and teams. Playing for her native China, she has already earned five Paralympic medals. After Rio, Lei came to Australia, and she will represent us for the first time at Tokyo.
Wheelchair Rugby
The Steelers – Australia’s wheelchair Rugby team – are chasing their third straight gold in the sport also sometimes called “murderball”.