Costa said that due to the pandemic he is not able to attend the games in person but would be supporting from afar.

“Anytime in Portugal, when you are in a competition, we will surely be with you, suffering when you don’t win, celebrating when you win, because sport is just like that, it’s losing, it’s winning and it’s above all an exercise in overcoming difficulties,” he said.

With a delegation of 33 athletes, who will compete in eight sports, Portugal leaves for Tokyo with 92 Paralympic medals currently under their belt, a number that António Costa hopes will reach 100 in these Games, which will take place between 24 August and 5 September.