Australian Paralympians met with Japanese schoolchildren virtually ©Paralympics Australia

Australian Paralympians shared their personal stories and answered questions during online meetings with Japanese schoolchildren.

The Para-athletes took part in the sessions as part of Paralympics Australia’s ENGAGE programme. 

In-person sessions with classroom groups in Kobe and Chuo City in Tokyo had been planned, but these were cancelled as a result of the continuing travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rio 2016 Para-swimming silver medallist Monique Murphy, Para-athletics world silver medallist Eliza Ault-Connell, Para-athletics world bronze medallist Sarah Walsh and Jaryd Clifford, world champion in the T13 1500 metres and 5000m, met virtually with students from Katsuragi Primary School in Kobe.

The Australian team had been planning to hold a training camp in Kobe before the Paralympic Games were postponed last year.  

Rio 2016 Paralympic table tennis player Melissa Tapper then hosted a session with students from Harumi Junior High School in Chuo Ward in Tokyo. 

A space at Harumi School, a short distance from the Athletes' Village, has been allocated to the Australian team for use during the Paralympics. 

Para-table tennis player Melissa Tapper participated in a virtual session with students from Harumi Junior High School in Chuo Ward in Tokyo ©Getty Images
Para-table tennis player Melissa Tapper participated in a virtual session with students from Harumi Junior High School in Chuo Ward in Tokyo ©Getty Images

"Throughout our planning for the Tokyo Paralympics we’ve built strong bonds with people and organisations in Kobe and Chuo, who have been so welcoming," said Paralympics Australia chief executive Lynne Anderson, who visited Harumi School in 2019. 

"Those plans have had to change, but we remain committed to repaying their generosity through programmes such as this, in which our athletes not only share information about their sports, but also their philosophies on life.

"One of the beauties of the Paralympics is that it’s much more than a sporting event. 

"It’s an education in resilience and inclusion, and that’s something our athletes feel very passionate about. 

"As we head towards the Games later this year, we will continue to foster and build such relationships, and continue to spread those messages, representing the best of Australia and working with our friends in Japan."

Paralympics Australia's ENGAGE programme is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australia-Japan Foundation.

Preparations continue for Tokyo 2020, despite the threat of the pandemic, with the Paralympics set for August 24 to September 5.