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Held under the shadow of the pandemic, the opening ceremony was a riotous explosion of color and energy, celebrating the fact that everyone is capable of flight.

Colorful fireworks representing the colors of the Paralympic symbol light up the sky above the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. | DAN ORLOWITZ
Colorful fireworks representing the colors of the Paralympic symbol light up the sky above the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes carry the Japanese national flag at the beginning of the opening ceremony. | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes carry the Japanese national flag at the beginning of the opening ceremony. | DAN ORLOWITZ
Many of the different sections of the opening ceremony were marked with large fireworks displays after the National Stadium. | DAN ORLOWITZ
Many of the different sections of the opening ceremony were marked with large fireworks displays after the National Stadium. | DAN ORLOWITZ
Emperor Naruhito, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike watch the opening ceremony | REUTERS
Emperor Naruhito, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike watch the opening ceremony | REUTERS
Inflated agitos balloons — the symbol of the Paralympics — displayed during the opening ceremony | DAN ORLOWITZ
Inflated agitos balloons — the symbol of the Paralympics — displayed during the opening ceremony | DAN ORLOWITZ
Volunteers hold delegations' flags | AFP-JIJI
Volunteers hold delegations’ flags | AFP-JIJI
A scene from the opening ceremony performance, which centered on the quest of the 'Little One-Winged Plane' to fly. | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance, which centered on the quest of the ‘Little One-Winged Plane’ to fly. | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
From the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
From the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes of the Netherlands team | AFP-JIJI
Athletes of the Netherlands team | AFP-JIJI
Finland's Henry Manni and Pia-Pauliina Reitti lead their contingent during the athletes parade. | REUTERS
Finland’s Henry Manni and Pia-Pauliina Reitti lead their contingent during the athletes parade. | REUTERS
Athletes from Team Bhutan | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes from Team Bhutan | DAN ORLOWITZ
The Refugee Olympic Team enter the stadium | BLOOMBERG
The Refugee Olympic Team enter the stadium | BLOOMBERG
Athletes from Team Ukraine | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes from Team Ukraine | DAN ORLOWITZ
The 'Wind Dancers' | DAN ORLOWITZ
The ‘Wind Dancers’ | DAN ORLOWITZ
Wang Hao and Zhou Jiamin of China lead their contingent during the athletes parade. | REUTERS
Wang Hao and Zhou Jiamin of China lead their contingent during the athletes parade. | REUTERS
Italy's team arrives at the opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games | AFP-JIJI
Italy’s team arrives at the opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games | AFP-JIJI
Athletes from Team Switzerland | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes from Team Switzerland | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes from Team Iran | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes from Team Iran | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes from Team | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes from Team | DAN ORLOWITZ
Athletes from Team Belgium's delegation | AFP-JIJI
Athletes from Team Belgium’s delegation | AFP-JIJI
Choi Yejin of the Republic of Korea leads her contingent during the athletes parade. | REUTERS
Choi Yejin of the Republic of Korea leads her contingent during the athletes parade. | REUTERS
Team Spain out in full force | DAN ORLOWITZ
Team Spain out in full force | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
A scene from the opening ceremony performance | DAN ORLOWITZ
Performers take part in the opening ceremony for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics | AFP-JIJI
Performers take part in the opening ceremony for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics | AFP-JIJI
From the performance which was designed to convey the Paralympic theme of 'We Have Wings.' | DAN ORLOWITZ
From the performance which was designed to convey the Paralympic theme of ‘We Have Wings.’ | DAN ORLOWITZ
Japanese guitar legend Tomoyasu Hotei performs aboard the Dazzling Truck | REUTERS
Japanese guitar legend Tomoyasu Hotei performs aboard the Dazzling Truck | REUTERS
A scene from the opening ceremony's performance | REUTERS
A scene from the opening ceremony’s performance | REUTERS
A scene from the opening ceremony's performance | REUTERS
A scene from the opening ceremony’s performance | REUTERS
Fireworks explode above the National Stadium during the opening ceremony. | AFP-JIJI
Fireworks explode above the National Stadium during the opening ceremony. | AFP-JIJI
The Paralympic flame is transferred during the opening ceremony. | REUTERS
The Paralympic flame is transferred during the opening ceremony. | REUTERS
Fireworks explode above the National Stadium during the opening ceremony. | DAN ORLOWITZ
Fireworks explode above the National Stadium during the opening ceremony. | DAN ORLOWITZ
Japanese athletes light the Paralympic flame at the opening ceremony | DAN ORLOWITZ
Japanese athletes light the Paralympic flame at the opening ceremony | DAN ORLOWITZ
Japanese Paralympians pose in front of the lit cauldron | DAN ORLOWITZ
Japanese Paralympians pose in front of the lit cauldron | DAN ORLOWITZ
The Japanese flag is raised on the stadium mast | DAN ORLOWITZ
The Japanese flag is raised on the stadium mast | DAN ORLOWITZ
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