As the world’s elite athletes prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, elite athletes with disabilities are also preparing to compete, with the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics set to get underway in August and September. With ‘para’ meaning ‘beside’ in Greek, the Paralympics are intended to showcase the various capabilities people have to offer, working alongside the Olympic Games. As the countdown to the games gets closer, find out how to watch the 2020 Paralympics with this Canstar Blue guide.
How to watch the Paralympics in Australia
Channel 7 is the exclusive broadcaster for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2020 Paralympics, with live coverage also available on 7Mate and 7Two, and on-demand coverage available via 7plus.
Watch the Paralympics on Channel 7, 7Mate, 7Two & 7plus
Fortunately for fans of the Summer Paralympics, hundreds upon hundreds of hours of athletic action will be streamed via the Channel 7 suite of services, including Channel 7, 7Mate, 7Two and 7plus. These channels are free-to-air, meaning viewers won’t have to spend a cent on their viewing, with 7plus free to sign up to.
Stream Sports with Kayo
Love your sports? Check out what Kayo has on offer, from basketball to cricket, motorsports and soccer. Click ‘go to site’ for more details.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $25 over 1 month |
2 | $25 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $35 over 1 month |
3 | $35 |
Go To Site |
|
Telstra Exclusive Offer – Basic Subscription
min. cost $15/mth first 12 months then $25/mth |
2 | $25$15 |
Get Offeron Telstra’s website |
 |
^^View important information | |||
When is the Tokyo Paralympics?
The Paralympics start on August 24, 2021 and conclude on September 5, 2021 with the tournament starting roughly two weeks after the Olympics.
How to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics
The Opening Ceremony for the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics will commence on August 24, 2021, with Aussie fans able to tune in at 9pm AEST to watch the games begin.
Tokyo Paralympics Event Schedule
We’ve listed a full breakdown of the Tokyo Paralympics schedule below, with times for each event dependent on local broadcasting, so check your local TV guides for all the action.
- Opening Ceremony – August 24
- Archery – August 27 to September 4
- Athletics – August 27 to September 5
- Badminton – September 1 to September 5
- Boccia – August 28 to September 4
- Canoe Sprint – September 2 to September 4
- Cycling (Road) – August 31 to September 3
- Cycling (Track) – August 25 to August 28
- Equestrian – August 26 to August 30
- Football 5-a-side – August 29 to September 4
- Goalball – August 25 to September 3
- Judo – August 27 to August 29
- Powerlifting – August 26 to August 30
- Rowing – August 27 to August 29
- Shooting – August 30 to September 5
- Sitting Volleyball – August 27 to September 5
- Swimming – August 25 to September 3
- Table Tennis – August 25 to September 3
- Taekwondo – September 2 to September 4
- Triathlon – August 28 to August 29
- Wheelchair Basketball – August 25 to September 5
- Wheelchair Fencing – August 25 to August 29
- Wheelchair Rugby – August 25 to August 29
- Wheelchair Tennis – August 27 to September 4
Is there anything new going into this Paralympic Games?
2014 saw the Olympic committee begin accepting bids for new sports to be added to the roster of current events, and with that, two new sports were added. Badminton and taekwondo were the new additions, with modified rules to cater to different capabilities. However, the addition of these new sports has meant two sports have been dropped – these being 7-a-side football and sailing.
When is the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics closing ceremony?
The closing ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 5, 2021, from 9pm AEST, with the ceremony being held in the Olympic Stadium. Like the rest of the Olympics and Paralympics, fans will be able to watch the closing ceremony on Channel 7 and its online platforms.
Photo Credits: Leonard Zhukovsky/shutterstock.com, Paralympics.org
Share this article