The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are here, with Australia boasting a strong team of 179 athletes.
The Games began with the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.
Catch up with all of the action this evening on our blog below.
Key events
- Australia has entered the National Stadium
- The Refugee Olympic Team are the first to enter the stadium
- From Dunedoo to Tokyo: Meet year 12 student Jamieson, who is making her Paralympics debut
- What are the classifications for the Tokyo Paralympics? How do they work?
- Here's why it holds a special place in my heart: Kurt Fearnley
- Danni di Toro and Ryley Batt to carry the Australian flag
Live updates
By Michael Doyle
That is all for the opening ceremony. We will see you tomorrow.
Now that was a show.
The Paralympics has started with an inspiration and colourful opening ceremony.
The cauldron is lit and it is time to get the Games started.
Thanks to everyone who joined us tonight.
We'll be back tomorrow to blog the opening day of the competition.
We look forward to seeing you then.
Good luck to all the athletes competing in the Paralympics. We are inspired by you, we stand by you, and we are very grateful to you for giving us something to look forward to in lockdown. Aussie Aussie Aussie!
-Oi oi oi
By Michael Doyle
The cauldron is lit. Let the Paralympic Games begin
By Michael Doyle
And the Paralympic Cauldron is lit. The flame burns bright.
The cauldron is in the shape of the famous cherry blossom.
By Michael Doyle
We are about to light the Paralympic Cauldron
There are three people who will light the cauldron at this year's Paralympics.
By Michael Doyle
And she has done it. The one-winged plane has taken flight
We have reached the climax of the performance.
The one-winged plane has been inspired and with the winds of change has been able to fly.
The graphics we unreal.
By Michael Doyle
Guitar legend Tomoyasu Hotei is now performing
Japanese guitar legend Tomoyasu Hotei who wrote, Battle without honor or humanity, which was used in the famous Quinton Tarantino film Kill Bill is performing for the one-winged plane.
The music is supposed to encourage the one-winged plane to summon the courage to fly,
By Michael Doyle
We are back with the performance and it features a didgeridoo
The one-winged plane is still reluctant to try and take flight.
Now a truck has entered the stadium and it speaks is didgeridoo music.
By Michael Doyle
Emperor Naruhito has now officially opened the Paralympic Games
The Internation Paralympic flag is being brought into the stadium to be hoisted alongside the flag of Japan.
By Michael Doyle
Difference is a strength, not a weakness
A major focus on this year's Games is, We the 15.
This references the approximately 15 per cent of the world's population (1.2 billion people) who have different abilities.
Andrew Parsons said the Paralympic movement wants inclusion to be a worldwide focus moving forward.
He said a person's difference should always be seen as a strength and not a weakness.
"Now is your moment to show to the world your skill, your strength, your determination," he said.
"You are the best of humanity and the only ones who can decide who and what you are.
"Your performances could change the fortunes of your lives, but most importantly, they will change the lives of 1.2 billion forever."
By Michael Doyle
'Never lost faith': Andrew Parsons, President of the Internation Paralympic Committee thanks all those who made the Games happen
Andrew Parson says the Paralympics will honour its host country Japan.
He thanked those who were able to make this even possible.
"I cannot believe we are finally here," he said.
"Many doubted this day would happen. Many thought it was impossible."
By Michael Doyle
The President of the Tokyo Organising Committee and the President of the International Paralympic Committee are now speaking
Seiko Hashimoto is the President of Tokyo 2020 and is speaking first.
By Michael Doyle
The one-winged plane is learning how other planes with different and diverse abilities are able to fly through the air
By Michael Doyle
A terrific graphic display is being shown in the stadium
Flags of all the nations are generating the wind which will lift the Paralympics.
They are the "winds of change".
Cue more fireworks.
Now we are about to learn the story of the one-winged plane.
By the way, the stadium is now definitely the Para Airport
