Almost exactly a year later than planned, the Paralympic Games are set to get underway in Tokyo.
As with the Olympics earlier this summer, fans will sadly be banned from attending the majority of events due to coronavirus concerns but there is bags of exciting action in store for viewers around the world to keep an eye out for on TV.
Here are some of the key events on each day…
Tuesday, August 24
Precisely 364 days later than initially planned, a Paralympics like no other kicks off with the opening ceremony at an empty Olympic Stadium. Organisers have encouraged everyone to watch the Games at home due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with just a handful of VIPs and media set to be present.
Wednesday, August 25
Cyclist Dame Sarah Storey could win Britain’s first medal as her quest to become the country’s most successful Paralympian begins in the 3000m individual pursuit. With the majority of the opening day’s action either at the velodrome or in the pool, two-time swimming medallist Ellie Robinson goes in the S6 50m freestyle.
Thursday, August 26
Eleven-time gold medallist Sir Lee Pearson and defending champion Sophie Wells are each in individual test action as five days of equestrian competition begin. Cyclist Jody Cundy bids to defend his C4-5 Kilo title, while swimmer Ellie Simmonds begins her fourth Games in the SM6 200m individual medley.
Friday, August 27
Athletics gets under way, with Rio bronze medallist Maria Lyle competing in the T35 100m. Cyclist Kadeena Cox seeks to retain 500m time-trial gold, while swimmers Hannah Russell and Bethany Firth each defend titles, and Natasha Baker goes for the sixth equestrian gold of her career. Ali Jawad is in powerlifting action. Archery, rowing, judo and wheelchair tennis all begin.
Saturday, August 28
Games veteran David Weir competes in the T54 5000m. Sophie Hahn, Olivia Breen and Ali Smith run in the T38 100m final. Track cycling concludes with Cundy, Cox and Jaco Van Gass racing in the mixed team sprint. Rio silver medallist Alison Peasgood is among the triathletes in action. In the pool, the mixed 4x100m S14 freestyle rounds off another busy day.
Sunday, August 29
Hannah Cockroft will hope to retain her 100m T34 title, while reigning table tennis champion Will Bayley could make another final. Rowing finals take place, with Lauren Rowles and Laurence Whiteley’s bid to retain mixed double sculls gold a possible highlight. Elsewhere, wheelchair rugby medal matches take place, swimmer Russell seeks to retain 50m freestyle gold, and George Peasgood, Claire Cashmore and Lauren Steadman each go for triathlon glory.
Monday, August 30
Sprinter Jonnie Peacock will attempt to make it a hat-trick of golds in the T64 100m. Robinson will defend her 50m butterfly S6 title, while fellow swimmer Stephanie Millward will look to retain gold in the S6 100m backstroke. Equestrian individual freestyle tests take place for Pearson, Wells, Baker and debutant Georgia Wilson, while Jess Stretton could retain archery gold.
Tuesday, August 31
Road cycling starts, with 14-time gold medallist Storey in time-trial action. On the track, Weir will go for a third career gold in the 1500m and European champion Columba Blango is expected to have qualified for the 400m final, while Breen will bid for long jump success. Another packed day of swimming includes the men’s and women’s 200m individual medley finals.
Wednesday, September 1
Individual boccia medals are up for grabs; reigning champion David Smith once again has aspirations of being in the hunt. Badminton makes its Games debut. Three-time Paralympic medallist Matt Skelhon takes part in the 10m air rifle. The quad doubles tennis final takes place.
Thursday, September 2
Storey ends her Games with a potential shot at history in the C4-5 road race. Rio champion Gordon Reid and runner-up Alfie Hewett will each hope to return to the men’s wheelchair tennis singles final. Discus thrower Dan Greaves seeks a sixth Paralympics medal, while taekwondo makes its maiden Games appearance, canoeing competition begins, and there is another hectic schedule in the pool.
Friday, September 3
A busy evening of athletics includes Richard Whitehead seeking a third consecutive 200m title, Jo Butterfield and Hollie Arnold defending golds in club throw and javelin respectively, and the 4x100m universal relay final. Tennis finals also continue, with Reid and Hewett bidding to go one better than the doubles silver claimed in Brazil.
Saturday, September 4
A ‘Super Saturday’ is on the cards as a host of reigning champions return. In athletics, Cockroft bids for more 800m success, Cox looks to defend her 400m title, Aled Davies competes in shot put and Libby Clegg runs in the 200m. Current gold medallists Jeanette Chippington and Emma Wiggs, plus world champion Charlotte Henshaw, go for canoeing glory, while Amy Truesdale is a major hope for a historic taekwondo medal, and there is the climax of the women’s wheelchair basketball.
Sunday, September 5
The Games conclude with the closing ceremony, prior to which the marathons round off the athletics action, which includes wheelchair racer Weir in the men’s event. Great Britain could claim a medal in the men’s wheelchair basketball, while Jack Shephard is among those hoping for a spot on the badminton podium.
