Tokyo 2020 Social Check-in: T-1, Paralympic Games start Tuesday

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is finally here! And as Canada’s Paralympians compete over the next two weeks, we’ll take the daily pulse of the Games excitement on social media by sharing a few of the best posts from the Canadian Paralympic Team, its fans, and Canadian media.

Be sure to follow @CDNParalympics on Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news and posts.

Here’s a quick look at some recent updates:

If you hear the beat of a drum at a venue it is likely Canada’s chef de mission Stephanie Dixon, who received a special gift from the Squamish Nation.

The heartbeat of Canada has arrived at the 2020 Paralympic Games.

I am honoured beyond words to accept this hand drum on behalf of #TeamCanada from Tsawaysia Spukwus / @aliceguss of the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw) #paralympic pic.twitter.com/weDeRVYYif

— Stephanie Dixon (@SDixon_89) August 22, 2021

Chef Dixon also ran into seven-foot-two discus thrower Greg Stewart and the pair hammed it up for the camera.

My role as Chef de Mission for Team Canada is to “elevate” our Canadian athletes. How am I doing?? #Paralympics #TeamCanada

Image Description: Stephanie Dixon is attempting to piggyback Paralympian Greg Stewart pic.twitter.com/PihEJ3hsBa

— Stephanie Dixon (@SDixon_89) August 22, 2021

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a special message to Team Canada and flag bearer Priscilla Gagné.

Only 2 days to go until the #Tokyo2020 Paralympics! I’ll be following along from the road. Good luck to our @CDNParalympics athletes and congrats to, @PriscillaRGagne, our flag bearer, who will be leading #TeamCanada into the games.https://t.co/4doplSDq1l

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 22, 2021

Canadian wheelchair fencer Ryan Rousell posted a picture of teammates Matthieu Hébert and Pierre Mainville keeping sharp in training in Tokyo. The swordsmen commence battle on Wednesday morning.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ryan Rousell (@ryanrousell)

Wheelchair racing star Brent Lakatos, scheduled to compete in six events in Tokyo from the 100-m to the marathon, was at training camp with his Para athletics teammate in Gifu, Japan. He looks in fine form.

A huge thank you to the people of Gifu, the City of Gifu @city_gifu and the Prefecture of Gifu. The hospitality you have shown us is incredible.

ありがとうございます

We will do our best in the @Tokyo2020 @Paralympics pic.twitter.com/5cJbqpbZ1Y

— Brent Lakatos (@BrentLak) August 21, 2021

Canada’s women’s goalball team, which plays its first game Wednesday morning against RPC, held its preparation camp in Sapporo. The athletes donned their new Japanese outfits for a team dinner.