Japanese Emperor Naruhito formally declared the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games open at a near-empty Japan National Stadium on Tuesday as athletes got ready to defy expectations after a year-long delay.

International Paralympic Comittee president Andrew Parsons hailed the record athlete contingent at the Games as “beacons of hope”. 4,483 athletes are taking part in the Tokyo Paralympics, surpassing the 4,328 that participated in the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

With virus restrictions keeping spectators out of venues, the watered-down ceremony took place in front of around 800 officials and VIPs.

The theme for the ceremony was “We Have Wings”, with performers creating a mini “airport” in the stadium.

The contingent of refugee athletes at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics.
Performers create the ‘Thee Agitos’ symbol of the Paralympic Games.
Fireworks at the Japan National Stadium mark the opening of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
A volunteer carries the French flag, which will host the next edition of the Olympics and the Paralympics in 2024, during the opening ceremony.
The Paralympic flame is let by three Japanese para-athletes – wheelchair tennis player Yui Kamiji, boccia player Shunsuke Uchida, and powerlifter Karin Morisaki.
Performers during an act in the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Performers during an act at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympic Games. 
The contingent from Brazil, which hosted the last Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016, at the opening ceremony. 
Members of the athlete contingent from Sweden during the opening ceremony at the Tokyo Paralympics. 
Volunteers carry the Afghanistan flag during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympic Games.