午夜剧场

Did you watch the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games? Since it took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe it was an event where various opinions and thoughts intersected regarding its hosting. As an individual who has worked to promote sports activities for people with disabilities, it was a joyful time for me to see the success of the athletes and colleagues I have worked with both on and off the field, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

On the other hand, my current focus is not just on these athletes, but on promoting sports activities for those who have few opportunities to participate, primarily individuals with severe disabilities or those requiring medical care. Particularly during the pandemic, people with severe disabilities faced a high risk of life-threatening danger just by going out. Those with few places for local activities or communities to join became increasingly prone to isolation.

Therefore, during the prolonged period of self-restraint, I have continued to hold online sports events to maintain and improve the physical and mental well-being of people with severe disabilities and their caregivers, and to prevent social isolation. Working through trial and error alongside students from my research group, we have strived to create opportunities for exercise. With each session, these events have become more enjoyable by leveraging the advantages of the online format. Online, even those who are bedridden can participate, and a diverse range of participants can connect across different regions. Furthermore, we have had new realizations, such as how children with autism can participate in sports with peace of mind from home in an environment no different from their daily lives, and how it is easy to engage in and turn into a habit within the home.

Our activities are often categorized as "supporting" within the context of sports, but in reality, I feel there are many more people involved who are enjoying themselves or finding some kind of value there. Most of the participants are people who find it difficult to verbally say "this is fun" or to express their emotions. However, their "inner eyes" watch us intently, always providing us with new perspectives. I want to take the energy I receive from them, channel it through the power of sports, and continue to take on challenges so that the flame (and the results) of the Paralympics continues to burn toward the next step.