Following the end of what was a spectacular Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, we now have the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics to fill our appetite for athletic and sporting excellence. Under the “United by Emotion” motto, due to take place between 24 August and 5 September, these games will feature 540 events covering 22 different sporting disciplines.
The determination and spirit on display by Paralympians is an absolute joy to behold. Rather than being beaten by their varied and respective disabilities, these are people who have overcome all the odds and obstacles in their path, choosing a positive outlook and rising to every challenge.
2020 Olympics packed with surprising stories
Whenever heading into such a huge event as the Olympic Games, there is always the chance of delightfully surprising outcomes, as previously unknown athletes climb up the podium to receive medals. Likewise, famous competitors can also fail to deliver, which is precisely what happened to 2021 Wimbledon winner Ashleigh Barty, when the Australian star was dumped out of Olympic tennis tournament in the first round.
VegasSlotsOnline News looked at the most surprising Tokyo 2020 upsets, focusing on favourites who fell short of expectations, plus the biggest underdogs who upset the odds to claim gold medals. Amongst the biggest shocks was Austrian cyclist Anna Kiesenhofer who claimed gold in the women’s road race, hugely underestimated given the 500/1 (+50000 American, 501 Decimal) odds offered by bookmakers.
Arguably amongst of the most inspiring performances at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, those who represented the Refugee Olympic Team can’t be ignored. These 29 athletes competed in 12 sports, sending a message of hope and solidarity to displaced people around the globe. While there were no medal winners this time, some come close, including Kimia Alizadeh who ranked fifth overall in Taekwondo, who eliminated 2012 and 2016 Olympic champion Jade Jones of Britain.
2020 Paralympics filled with exceptional achievement
Now the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are over, with plenty more thrilling events to come in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, sports fans will undoubtedly be glued to their screens. These games will be filled with even more stories of excellence and achievement. Regardless of their circumstances, each competing Paralympian is a champion in their own right, irrespective of whether they end up winning medals or not.
Known affectionately as “The Blade Jumper” by fans, Markus Rehm of Germany will be one to watch, having set the new long jump world record of 8.62 metres in June this year. The 32-year-old is aiming for his third consecutive Paralympic gold medal, after winning this event at London 2012 and Rio 2016. Using his trademark carbon-fibre bladed prosthesis, rivals will be hard pushed to topple this great athlete from his golden throne.
Neither disability nor age is any barrier for Carol Cooke of Australia, who will have celebrated her 60th birthday when the Tokyo Paralympics begin. Despite thinking her life was over when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 36, Cooke went on to win Mixed Time Trial gold at London 2012, then a duo of Women’s Time Trial and Women’s Road race golds at Rio 2016. No longer setting targets, Carol just wants to enjoy herself this time around.
Did you know?
The original concept for the Paralympic Games was the idea of Sir Ludwig Guttman, a Jewish doctor who fled Nazi Germany as a refugee, then established a spinal injuries clinic in England. It was there he initiated the Stoke Manderville Games, which would later be adopted by the International Olympic Committee.
Indeed, considering those origins, it is entirely fitting that at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, there will be a Refugee Paralympic Team featuring six athletes, maintaining the traditions and values on which these Games were founded.#DidYouKnow that founder of the #Paralympics, Professor Sir Ludwig Guttman, was born #OnThisDay 122 years ago?
— Google Arts&Culture (@googlearts) July 3, 2021
Learn more about how he changed the world with @ParaHeritage and @GoogleDoodles. https://t.co/MtG36wXIei pic.twitter.com/pzB6kNyOYb
