Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games open

Fireworks explode over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

Japanese Emperor Naruhito declared the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games open on Aug. 24 evening at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium.

A record number of 4,403 athletes from 162 delegations have been confirmed to take part across 22 sports at the Tokyo Paralympics which runs through September 5.

China, which is participating in the Summer Paralympics for the 10th consecutive time, has sent a delegation of 251 athletes, 132 female and 119 male, with the oldest athlete being 56 years old and the youngest 16 years old. They will compete in 20 of the 22 sports.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach is among the very few invited spectators at the opening ceremony.

As the coronavirus situation has worsened in Japan in recent weeks, the Paralympics will also take place generally without spectators, as was the case with the Olympics.