• New ParalympicsLIVE app provides access to livestreams, statistics and interactive features
• Virtual reality experience to allow fans to relive historic Paralympic moments
• IPC’s Facebook and YouTube channels to stream over 1,200 hours of live coverage and highlights

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has unveiled a range of new digital experiences that will be in place for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

As the Games get underway on 24th August, fans across the world will have access to a variety of new digital experiences, including virtual reality (VR) features, content hubs and livestreams.

The new ParalympicsLIVE app allows fans to watch live streams and receive updates from the Games, while the platform also features interactive elements. 

Live streams, clips and highlights from 13 Paralympic broadcasters will be available on social media sites Facebook and YouTube.

All told, over 1,200 hours of live coverage and highlights from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics will stream on the IPC’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

• Paralympics to be held without spectators

In addition, Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter will set up hubs to house Paralympic content during the Games, with features set to include information, updates, athlete overviews, photo galleries, quizzes and recap videos.

The IPC has also launched a new VR experience in partnership with Facebook. Paralympics Raw: Emotion Unites Us will allow fans to relive some of the most iconic moments from the Paralympic Games.

The VR feature includes voices of famous Paralympians such as Birgit Skarstein, Katie Kelly and Lex Gillette, who discuss their experiences of competing in the Paralympics. Fans will be able to access the experience via the Raw Emotions page on desktop, mobile and Oculus platforms from the beginning of the Games.

Natalia Dannenberg-Spreier, the IPC’s head of brand and engagement, said: “Tokyo 2020 will be the most digitally connected Paralympic Games ever.

“The global pandemic has meant that we can’t bring the world physically to Tokyo, but we hope that fans at home can feel some of the emotion through our digital experiences.

“We know that the Paralympic Games changes peoples’ attitudes towards disability and in a year where the global pandemic has disproportionately affected persons with disabilities, it was more important than ever for us to ensure that we engage broad audiences to help to change the storyline of disability.”