These Games too will be played out behind closed doors with the notable exception of some 130,000 schoolchildren allowed in to watch events over the course of the Games, which run until September 5.

Kyodo reported that some parents were unsure of allowing their children to attend events as part of the government-backed programme, while other Tokyo residents had misgivings over hosting the Games.

Like the Olympics, there has been opposition to holding these Games, albeit less vocal and vociferous, though there were still protests on the streets outside the stadium at this opening ceremony just as at the Olympics.

A record 4,403 athletes from 162 teams have descended on Tokyo as it undergoes its worst Covid-19 surge yet and in an extended state of emergency with hospitals stretched to capacity.

Last week saw three days with new cases numbering more than 25,000 compared to the 15,000 daily cases when the Olympics came to a close on August 8.

The organisers previously described the circumstances surrounding the Paralympics as “very difficult” and that does not appear to be easing.

Already some 154 Covid-19 positives have been linked to the Paralympics since August 12, authorities confirmed, as they added 10 more to that total on Tuesday. One of those was the first competitor to test positive in the Athletes’ Village, they said.

A similar “playbook” as was used during the Olympics, focusing on limited movement and frequent testing, is in place.

Emperor Naruhito expressed his hope that the systems would hold firm in his pre-ceremony meeting with International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday afternoon.

Hong Kong’s Chef de Mission Martin Lam Chun-ying hailed the “extraordinary Games” and the “great effort to make them happen under the tightest and safest measures”.

“I’ve not seen any problems under the pandemic and if they follow all the measures then I don’t foresee any big problem,” Lam said a day after his arrival in Japan.

“The volunteers have been very helpful and everything is running quite smoothly, though the IPC Family is in three hotels, not one as usual, so that makes things a bit more difficult.”

These Games may make everyone forget everything else as Japan’s record Olympic medal haul did earlier this month.

Wheelchair tennis superstar Shingo Kunieda is one of the great medal hopes for the hosts as he leads their 254 athletes, their largest ever Paralympic contingent.

China, who have topped the medal table at every Games since Athens 2004 are tipped for the top again with their 251-athlete delegation competing across 20 of the 22 sports in Tokyo.

The huge Chinese contingent in the Parade of Nations offered a statement of their intent, while New Zealand chose not to send a delegation with a volunteer carrying their flag.

A volunteer also carried the flag of Afghanistan after its athletes were forced to pull out following the government’s collapse and the return to power of the Taliban.

Three of Hong Kong’s 23 athletes – flagbearers Yam Kwok-fan and Hui Ka-chun with archer Ngai Ka-chuen – joined the parade. The team will compete in eight sports as they look to add to the city’s 126 Paralympic medals.

“I don’t see a problem for Hong Kong athletes to follow any of the Covid-19 regulations,” Lam said. “They are used to it and I am confident they can do well under these conditions.”

One athlete that will no longer take part is equestrian rider Timothy Tsang Tin-chi after his horse Cethegus M was deemed lame on arrival in Tokyo.

Hong Kong are also out of the team dressage event while a disappointed Tsang is being supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and sports psychologist Dr Anna Waters.

The Paralympics remain a once in a lifetime opportunity, as Hong Kong’s flagbearers told the Post.

“I am very honoured to be the flag-bearer for Hong Kong in such a big event as the Paralympics. I hope all people can support the Hong Kong team,” said sprinter Yam.

“This is a big thing in my life and I hope all people will support the Hong Kong team members,” said swimmer Hui.

A record 4.25 billion global viewers are expected to tune in to the Tokyo Paralympics, beating the 4.1 billion total viewers of the Rio 2016 Games.

In Hong Kong, six broadcasters have been handed the rights by the government and, as Yam said, there is hope that some of the Olympic fever that gripped the city will remain for the Paralympics.