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UPDATE: Eighty-nine Poles to vie for medals at Tokyo Paralympics

17.08.2021 15:30
Eighty-nine disabled Polish athletes, 56 men and 33 women, are gearing up to compete in the Paralympic Games, which begin in Tokyo next Tuesday.
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President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda (centre) pose for a family photo with Polish Paralympians during a send-off ceremony in Warsaw on Monday.
President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda (centre) pose for a family photo with Polish Paralympians during a send-off ceremony in Warsaw on Monday.Photo: PAP/Piotr Nowak

More than 4,000 competitors from around the world are expected to take part in the event, which will celebrate the sporting talent of athletes with various impairments.

Team Poland is set to compete in 12 sports, including para-athletics, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting and kayaking.

Eighty-nine disabled Polish athletes have been selected to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which will be held from August 24 to September 5. Eighty-nine disabled Polish athletes have been selected to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which will be held from August 24 to September 5. Photo: PAP/Piotr Nowak

During a send-off ceremony for the athletes in Warsaw on Monday, President Andrzej Duda wished them success in Tokyo and also voiced hope for a haul of medals for Poland.

Japan's ambassador to Poland, Akio Miyajima, said his country was making every effort to ensure that the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Summer Games would be special and safe, while reflecting "the spirit of solidarity among people around the world."

Poland won 39 medals and finished 10th in the overall medal standings at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Polish Radio is a media partner of the Polish team for the Tokyo Paralympics, which start on August 24 and run until September 5.

Swimmer Joanna Mendak and track-and-field competitor Maciej Lepiato will be the flag bearers for the Polish delegation at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Summer Games.

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Source: IAR, paralympic.org.plprezydent.pl

Click on the "Play" button above for an audio report by Radio Poland’s Michał Owczarek.