No participants, but Afghanistan flag still included in Paralympic opening ceremony for solidarity

Even though athletes and representatives could not make it to Tokyo for the Paralympic Games, the Afghanistan flag was carried as part of the opening ceremony on Tuesday. Zakia Khudadadi, who is the first female player from Afghanistan to pass for the Paralympic Games in Taekwondo, and some officials of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) could not make it to the Games due to the chaos in the country after the 'Taliban ousted democratically chosen government and seized power of the country. Flights to and from Afghanistan are not operating after the sudden regime change, and which was one of the reasons why the players could not come to Tokyo.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has decided to raise the Afghanistan flag in solidarity with the players who were denied an opportunity to play in the Paralympic Games. The IPC has invited the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representatives here to act as flag bearers.

IPC President Andrew Parsons said the decision is to send a message of "solidarity and peace" around the world.

"It is an act of solidarity. We decided this yesterday at the Council meeting. It is important to emphasize that it is a message of solidarity and peace that we are sending to the world," Parsons told a news conference ahead of the opening ceremony.

"We want to have them here; unfortunately, it is not possible, but they will be here in mind," he added.

Meanwhile, Afghan footballers and their families were evacuated from Kabul on Tuesday.