Japan's team for the Tokyo Paralympic Games, which start on Aug. 24, held a ceremony on Tuesday.
To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, only some of the athletes and officials gathered in person at a hotel in Tokyo, while many others participated online.
Crown Prince Akishino offered encouraging words to the athletes via the internet.
The event was a chance to give a flag to Mami Tani, a 39-year-old triathlete who will serve as Japan's flag bearer at the opening ceremony.
"We pledge to fight with all our might, with courage and determination," said men's wheelchair tennis team captain Shingo Kunieda, 37.
-- Revamped village welcomes delegations
Meanwhile, the Tokyo Paralympic Village in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, opened up the same day.
As many as 4,400 Paralympic athletes from about 160 countries and regions are expected to participate in the Games.
The village is equipped with ramps and handrails, and the number of seats in the cafeteria was reduced from 3,000 to 2,400 after the Olympic Games to make it easier for wheelchair users and other officials to move freely throughout the area.
Athletes were allowed to enter the village one week before the start of the Games -- two days earlier than the Olympics -- to afford them more time to familiarize themselves with the village.
Officials from the Swedish delegation arrived at the village on Tuesday afternoon, however, just as at the Olympic Games, no welcoming ceremony was held because of the pandemic.
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