Tokyo Paralympic flames were lit across the host city Friday before being merged into one despite continuing worries over the spread of the coronavirus ahead of the world's biggest sporting event for athletes with impairments.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike pledged to hold the Games safely, saying, "The Tokyo Games will not be a success, without the success of the Paralympics," at a ceremony, during which the flames, ignited in different municipalities in the capital, were united in a small cauldron.
Numerous events related to the Paralympics have been organized in an effort to build excitement for the 13-day games, which will begin Tuesday following a one-year postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic.