Parapans aim for Tokyo 2020

(ATR) Paralympic athletes from across the Americas march in the opening ceremony of the Parapan American Games in Lima.

More than 1,800 athletes will compete in the 6th edition of the Games.

They come from 33 countries with events in 18 disciplines. The games end September 1.

Host country Peru will have a delegation of 139 Paraympians.

The first day of competition took place with Para table tennis, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair rugby.

Balich Worldwide Shows will stage its third ceremony in Lima, previously organizing the Pan American Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Seeking to promote youth interest, Lima 2019 pledged to give away 35,140 tickets to 57 schools in Lima and Callao as part of it’s "Soy Lima 2019" campaign.

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons highlighted the IPC’s expectations for this year’s Games which include qualifying Paralympians for Tokyo 2020.

Parsons tells Around the Rings, "We are now here in Lima the games are underway. We know that in four years time we will have the ParaPan American Games also in Santiago in 2023.This is for the athletes of the Americas, a pathway to more competition and qualification opportunities for the Paralympic Games. We don't have all the sports that are part of the Paralympic games sports program. But sports that are on the Parapan American games they need to be qualifying. The ParapanAms need to be part of the qualification process for the next edition of the Paralympic Games to create this pathway."

Parsons added, "Lima has been fantastic and had a very successful Pan American Games and so far a successful Parapan Games."

Written by Greer Wilson.