TOKYO - International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons on Friday praised the legacy of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics during talks with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike.
Five years on from the Paralympics, which were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Parsons said Tokyo "set the standard" for other host cities after successfully staging the games despite the testing environment.
Parsons visited Ariake Arena, a wheelchair basketball venue, ahead of the meeting and said he was left impressed after speaking with two teenage male players who were inspired to take up the sport after the Japan national team won silver at the Tokyo Games.
Parsons toured the facility after Tokyo officials briefed him on its barrier-free features, while the Brazilian was also provided details on the Deaflympics for deaf athletes held in the Japanese capital last year by Koike.
"We're steadily making use of the legacy (from the Tokyo Games)," Koike said. "We'll look to strengthen our ties with the IPC and aim to familiarize people with parasports more."
