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In Tokyo Bay, the symbol of the Games shines in red, blue and green – but the corona pandemic has long since cast a shadow over the Paralympics. The 133 German athletes around Parastar Markus Rehm are looking forward to the opening ceremony on Tuesday, as athletes spokeswoman Mareike Miller emphasized. But a strong spread of the delta variant, a worsening of the medical situation and the first corona cases among the 4,400 participants are burdening the XVI. Summer Paralympics enormous. On Sunday, the organizers therefore decided to take even stricter protective measures for employees. Among other things, daily tests (instead of every four days) were now ordered. This is “absolutely necessary,” stressed the head of the organizing committee, Toshiro Muto.
“There is always concern about whether we have done everything correctly in advance and whether we can adhere to all the rules. We pay attention to the greatest possible prevention. They are special games, «said Friedhelm Julius Beucher, President of the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) in sid-Interview. He spoke of “mixed feelings” – Karl Quade, Chef de Mission, of a “very special challenge”.
Especially since the situation in Japan, with around 25,000 new infections every day, has worsened significantly compared to the Olympic Games, as Hidemasa Nakamura from the organizing committee admitted. The medical system is “in a very tense position.” In addition, according to Nakamura, “Para-athletes have an even greater risk of developing serious symptoms than Olympic athletes. So we have to be even more careful. ”On Sunday, the organizers reported 138 cases of infection in connection with the Paralympics, and there were also the first four cases among the athletes.
Despite the precarious situation, even Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is trying to spread confidence. “I look forward with all my heart to cheering everyone on when the para-athletes from all over the world do their best,” he said. For the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Andrew Parsons, the Games would show “that there is light at the end of the dark tunnel.” The Olympic Games had shown the world “that a major global sporting event can be carried out safely”.
For around 4,400 athletes from 160 countries, it’s a tightrope walk. The fear of a positive test and drastic consequences is omnipresent. He feels “safe” given the strict measures in the village and in the bubble, emphasized long jump world record holder Rehm. But the virus, according to sports shooter Tim Focken, could “destroy everything.” It is her »horror idea«, added Goldhoff Hope and track and field athlete Irmgard Bensusan, »that you prepare for the competitions for five years, and then you get tested positive shortly beforehand.”
Therefore, caution is the top priority. Of course, you talk to other athletes from time to time, said Miller, captain of the wheelchair basketball team, “but you don’t hug yourself or clap each other.” Shot putter Niko Kappel spoke of a “great responsibility” for everyone.
The DBS has chosen its motto accordingly: “Times change – dreams remain”. Quade didn’t want to express these dreams in numbers, but it shouldn’t be much less than the 57 medals from Rio 2016 (18/25/14) in Tokyo either. Quade vaguely names a place in the top ten as an objective. Otherwise, the Chef de Mission hopes “that we won’t write headlines similar to the Olympic team and show ourselves as role models for people with and without disabilities.” The greatest wish, however, is “that we get away safely and everyone arrives home safe”. (sid / jW)
