As the 2021 Paralympics kick off in Tokyo, the Netherlands is expecting its athletes to come back with a substantial medal haul.

Some 73 Dutch athletes will be taking part, a smaller group than five years ago in Rio de Janeiro. That Dutch team brought back a record number of 62 medals – 17 gold, 19 silver and 26 bronze.

The 73 athletes are all candidates for a medal,’ NOS sports commentator Suse van Kleef said. ‘The Dutch entry requirements are stricter than those of the paralympic Committee and that means they are the very best in their field.’

Bo Kramer, part of the wheelchair basketball team, said the pressure is on. ‘People expect us to get the gold, and we know we can do it. But things could go the other way. But as long as we’re having fun great things could happen.’