The 2020 Paralympic Games are underway as fireworks light up the skies of Tokyo.
The landmark sporting spectacle, which will run until September 5, attracts more than 4,500 competitors from around the world.
However spectators will not be able to share in the experience in the stadium as Japan battles the Covid pandemic.
Today performers took centre stage as the event got underway, with a spectacular show to get the Games started.
The Paralympics were originally scheduled to be held last year, but like other major sporting events was forced to postpone.
Organisers promise a sporting feast, with badminton and taekwondo added to the programme for the first time.
But officials have admitted that the Games will be held in "very difficult" circumstances as Japan's health system is in a worse position than it was at the end of the Olympics earlier this month.
The country is struggling with its worst Covid-19 outbreak so far, record daily cases and an overwhelmed medical system.
The Japanese government and the Tokyo Metropolitan government yesterday appealed to hospitals in the capital to accept more coronavirus patients as increasing infections have made access to care increasingly difficult.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak rules have been changed and staff at the Paralympic Village must now be tested daily.
Athletes must remain alone in their accommodation and not talk to anyone as the event organisers look to limit the spread of the virus.
A rule allowing some participants to travel on public transport and move around freely after 14 days of restrictions has been scrapped.
On Sunday Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said the event is “taking further careful measures.”
He added: 'We ask them to take meals in facilities inside the Olympic venues or hotels they are staying at, eating individually without talking.
“As to places they can visit, we ask them to limit that to places on their list of work.”
The Great Britain team for the Paralympics will feature 220 athletes competing across 19 sports for a shot at history.
After a 12-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, Team GB is made up by a combination of savvy experience and exciting youth as the team looks to improve upon their incredible showing at Rio 2016, where they won 147 medals.
The event has raised concerns among locals due to the spiralling Covid situation.
"I'm a little concerned about holding the Paralympic Games. Still, I hope the athletes will do their best," said 52-year-old office worker Chika Sasagawa.
While the number of athletes and officials travelling from abroad is less than a third of that during the Olympics, Japan reported more than 25,000 daily cases on three days last week, up from less than 15,000 when the Olympics ended earlier this month.
Organisers of the Paralympics have said they plan to implement the same Covid-19 protocols or "playbook" as the ones used during the Olympics.
Frequent testing and other restrictions, such as limiting the movement of athletes and officials, proved to be effective in minimising infection risks during the Games, they have added.
Like the Olympics, the Paralympics will also take place generally without spectators and organisers have asked the domestic Games officials to avoid eating out or drinking in groups.
Olympic organisers reported 404 Games-related infections. They carried out close to 600,000 screening tests with an infection rate of 0.02%.
Japan has extended COVID-19 emergency measures in the capital and other regions that will run through the Games.
About 88% of thousands of athletes and officials attending the Games have been vaccinated, the International Paralympic Committee spokesperson Craig Spence has said, though a number of local volunteers are yet to be fully vaccinated.
"Compared to the Olympics, the COVID infections have spread further now. I have many concerns but I believe that Japan as a host country is making all the efforts so that athletes can compete safely in the Games," said Tokyo resident Kana Matsuyama, 45.
The International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is scheduled to attend Tuesday's opening ceremony.
