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PHOTOS: Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

September 6, 2021, 1:30 PM

The Paralympics began in the same empty National Stadium — during the same pandemic — as the opening and closing ceremonies of the recently completed Tokyo Olympics.

This Monday, the 4,403 Paralympic athletes — a record number for any Paralympics — concluded their time in Tokyo with a colorful closing ceremony.

See photos below.

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Signs saying goodbye are seen during the Closing Ceremony on day 12 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
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Matt Scott flagbearer of Team United States during the Closing Ceremony on day 12 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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Performers dance during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)
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Members of Team United States watch on during the Closing Ceremony on day 12 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images for International Paralympic Committee) (Getty Images/Alex Davidson)
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A dog attends the closing ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images)
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A detailed view of the Olympic Flame during the Closing Ceremony on day 12 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images for International Paralympic Committee) (Getty Images/Alex Davidson)
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Oksana Masters, from USA, celebrates after wining at Women’s H5 Road Race at the Fuji International Speedway at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Zakia Khudadadi of Afghanistan (red) removes her helmet during her bout with Ziyodakhon Isakova of Uzbekistan (blue) in the women’s K44 49kg round of 16 taekwondo at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Chiba, near Tokyo. (Joe Toth for OIS via AP)
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FILE – In this Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, file photo, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli of Malaysia competes in the men’s shot put F20 final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Zolkefli appeared to have won gold in the shot put in the F20 class. But after the victory on Tuesday, he was disqualified because he had shown up late for the competition. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
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USA’s Sam Grewe competes in the Men’s High Jump T63 Athletics Final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (Simon Bruty for OIS via AP)
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Afghanistan’s Hossain Rasouli competes in the men’s T47 long jump during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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From left, Brazil’s Alan Fonteles Cardoso Oliveira, Germany’s Felix Streng and South Africa’s Mpumelelo Mhlongo compete during the men’s 100m T64 heats in the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Japan’s Takuya Shiramasa competes during the men’s javelin throw F46 in the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Sherman Isidro Guity Guity of Costa Rica, and Jonnie Peacock of Britain celebrate after competeing in the men’s 100m T64 final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Anton Prokhorov of the Russian Paralympic Committee, reacts with Puseletso Michael Mabote of South Africa after competing the men’s 100m T63 final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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From left to right, Sherman Isidro Guity Guity of Costa Rica, Johannes Floors of Germany, Jonnie Peacock of Britain and Jonathan Gore of the United States compete in the men’s 100m T64 final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Nigeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiato celebrates after winning a gold medal in women’s -86kg powerlifting final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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United State’s Jacob Schrom competes during men’s -107kg powerlifting final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Athletes compete during the men’s 1500m T54 heats in front of empty stands in the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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United States’ Daniel Romanchuk celebrates during the men’s 400m T54 at the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Britain’s Jim Roberts scores a try during the wheelchair rugby gold medal match against the U.S. at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Australia’s Ryley Batt falls during the wheelchair rugby bronze medal match against Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Denis Gnezdilov of the Russian Paralympic Committee reacts after winning the men’s F40 shot put final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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South Africa’s Anrune Weyers celebrates after winning the women’s T47 400-meters final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Beatriz Hatz of the United States competes in the women’s T62 long jump final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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United States’s Susannah Scaroni competes in the women’s 5000-meters T54 final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Gold medallist USA’s Anastasia Pagonis celebrates during the medal ceremony for the women’s 400m freestyle SB11 swimming final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on August 26, 2021. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
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(L to R) Silver medallist Liesette Bruinsma, gold medallist USA’s Anastasia Pagonis, China’s Cai Liwen celebrate during the medal ceremony for the women’s 400m freestyle SB11 swimming final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on August 26, 2021. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
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USA’s Natalie Schneider (L) shoots during the women’s wheelchair basketball preliminary round group B match between USA and Spain at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on August 26, 2021. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)
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TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 26: Team USA celebrates after winning the Goalball Men’s Preliminary Round Group A match between Team USA and Team Brazil on day 2 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Makuhari Messe Hall C on August 26, 2021 in Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 26: Team USA celebrates after winning the Goalball Men’s Preliminary Round Group A match between Team USA and Team Brazil on day 2 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Makuhari Messe Hall C on August 26, 2021 in Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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Rose Hollermann #15 of Team United States competes for the ball with Sonia Ruiz Escribano #6 of Team Spain during the Women’s Wheelchair basketball Preliminary Round Group B game on day 2 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Ariake Arena on August 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
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Cansu Merve Demir of Team Turkey serves during her women’s singles table tennis match on day 2 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on August 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
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Gold medalist Stefano Raimondi of Team Italy reacts during the men’s 100m breaststroke – SB9 medal ceremony on day 2 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on August 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
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Jake Ballestrino of Team Australia during his Men’s Singles Table Tennis match on day 2 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on August 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
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Silver medallist Jovane Guissone (L) of Team Brazil, Gold medallist Alexander Kuzyukov of Team RPC and Dimitri Coutya (R) of Team Great Britain pose during the medal ceremony for the Men’s Épée Individual Category B Gold Medal on day 2 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Makuhari Messe Hall B on August 26, 2021 in Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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Joshua Wheeler of the United States carries a ball against Canada’s defense during a Pool Phase Group match of Wheelchair Rugby at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Jordan’s Omar Sami Hamadeh Qarada prepares to lift during men’s 49kg powerlifting final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Qarada won a gold medal in the event. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Vietnam’s Le Van Cong reacts after a lift to win a silver medal during men’s 49kg powerlifting final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Anastasia Agonis, from USA, reacts after beating a record at Women’s 400m Freestyle – S11 Heat 2 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Anastasia Agonis, from USA, reacts after beating a record at Women’s 400m Freestyle – S11 Heat 2 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Dong Lu, from China, competes at Women’s 100m Freestyle – S5 Heat 2 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Ibrahim Hamadtou of Egypt plays against Park Hong-kyu of South Korea in Class 6, Group E of men’s table tennis at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Miyuki Yamada, from Japan, adjusts her googles ahead of Women’s 100m Backstroke – S2 Final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Gabriel Geraldo do Santos Araujo, from Brazil, celebrates his silver medal at Men’s 100m Backstroke – S2 Final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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France’s Maxime Valket , left, and Greece’s Panagiotis Triantafyllou compete for a bronze medal in men’s sabre individual category B at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Britain’s Sarah Dame Storery celebrates winning the gold medal for the Cycling Track women’s C5 3000m Individual Pursuit at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Izu, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Denise Schindler of Germany celebrates after winning the bronze medal for the Cycling Track Women’s C1-3 3000m Individual Pursuit at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Izu, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Paige Greco of Australia, center, holds her gold medal with silver medalist Wang Xiaomei, left, of China, and bronze medalist Denise Schindler of Germany during the victory ceremony for the Cycling Track Women’s C1-3 3000m Individual Pursuit at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Izu, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Japan’s Kazuya Kaneko blocks the ball during a men’s preliminary goal ball match against Algeria at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Esthefany Rodrigues, from Brazil, waves to the media after competing at Women’s 200m Freestyle – S5 Heat 2 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Participants compete at Men’s 100m Butterfly – S14 Heat 2 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Sevilay Ozturk, from Turkey, leaves the pool after competing at Women’s 200m Freestyle – S5 Heat 1 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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USA’s S Jensen and China’s Jing Bian compete in women’s saber individual, category A preliminary wheelchair fencing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Japan’s Shintaro Kano, left, and Canada’s Matthieu Hebert compete in men’s saber individual, category A preliminary wheelchair fencing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo, from Brasil, warms up ahead of Men’s 100m Backstroke – S2 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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School children watch from the stands as Ryuji Onda of Japan, left, and Andrei Pranevich of Belarus compete in men’s saber individual, category B wheelchair fencing preliminary at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Nuria Marques Soto, from Spain, after compiting at Women’s 400m Freestyle – S9 Heat 1 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Simone Barlaam from Italy compites in Men’s 400m Freestyle – S9 Heat 1 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Fireworks illuminate over National Stadium viewed from Shibuya Sky observation deck during the Opening Ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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The Japanese flag flies during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Athletes watch as fireworks explode during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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The Paralympic flag is brought into the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Fireworks illuminate over National Stadium viewed from Shibuya Sky observation deck during the Opening Ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Performers during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Athletes from Portugal enter the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Athletes from South Korea enter the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Athletes from the United States enter the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Athletes from the United States enter the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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A flag bearer carries the Afghanistan flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Dancers perform during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Fireworks explode after athletes entered the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

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