Paralympic Games postponed even worse than the Olympics 1:31 on March 31
With the opening of the Tokyo Paralympic Games delayed by one year on August 24, next year, the Paralympic Games will face unique challenges different from the Olympics.
Some players are at high risk of virus
The first is the extent to which the spread of the new coronavirus has converged at the start of next year.
Some Paralympic athletes have poor respiratory function due to disability, but it has been pointed out that these athletes are at higher risk of becoming more severe when infected with the new coronavirus.
For this reason, experts say that depending on the infection status of the new coronavirus, it will be necessary to take stricter measures than the Olympic Games, such as spectators and entrance restrictions, at the Games.
Heat is serious
The second is the effect of heat.
Paralympic athletes are more likely to be affected by the heat than Olympic athletes, depending on the disability.
Wheelchair athletes, for example, are more susceptible to reflections because their body position is close to the ground, which can make it difficult to regulate their temperature.
Even if the one-year extension is decided, the effects of heat will continue to be an issue.
Classification of disability may change
The third is the problem of classifying due to disabilities.
In the Paralympic Games, it is necessary to regularly determine the classification according to the type and degree of disability at each international competition, etc., so that players can compete fairly.
It has also been pointed out that some athletes may change their classification by disability progression or functional recovery by next year's tournament.
With the spread of new coronavirus infections continually halting the competition, it will be a challenge for all players to finish their classification by the start.