CITY bosses have wished the athletes of Team GB good luck as the 2020 Paralympics get underway.

Yesterday, the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics took place with multiple Hampshire athletes now preparing to compete for a medal.

In the Olympics, Team GB finished with 65 medals and 22 golds, making them the fourth most successful country at the Games and now the paralympians will be hoping they can mirror that success as their own events begin.

Last month, a British flag was placed onto the pavement near Southampton’s Bargate with the words “GO TEAM GB” written on it, and now the city council has reiterated its support for the nation’s paralympians.

Daily Echo: 'GO TEAM GB' flag at Southampton's Bargate.

In a Facebook post yesterday, a city council spokesperson said: “Best of luck to the athletes from TeamGB competing at the Paralympics from today.

“Particular mention to Southampton’s very own Aaron Phipps competing in the Wheelchair Rugby, Joy Haizelden in Wheelchair Basketball and Eastleigh’s David Smith in the Boccia.”

Aaron Phipps, from Totton will be competing in the games in the Wheelchair Rugby, following on from his appearance at the 2012 paralympics in London.

The Solent Sharks player had contracted meningitis when he was 15 and subsequently lost both legs and the tips of his fingers.

But in 2016, he climbed 19,341ft up Kilimanjaro and over the years, has raised more than £250,000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Three time gold medalist at the Paralympics and chair of Team Solent Sharks Wheelchair Rugby Club, Peter Hull MBE said the paralympics has “a special place” in his heart.

Peter said Aaron was “instrumental” in founding the team just after London 2012 and wished Aaron and the GB Squad “every luck in the next few days”.

Reigning paralympic and world champion David Smith from Eastleigh will also compete in Boccia, hoping to add to his collection of four medals across three Games.

Britain’s most decorated Boccia player, the 32-year-old is joined by six returning paralympians.

As well as this, Southampton’s Team GB Wheelchair Basketball player, Joy Haizelden, will take to the court once again after competing at the Rio Games in 2016.

The 22-year-old previously competed at the World and European Championships in 2018 and 2019, taking home two silver medals.

The leader of the council, Cllr Daniel Fitzhenry said: “On behalf of the city, we wish Team GB all the best at the paralympics and are especially proud of our local men and women who are representing the city.

“Supporting local sporting talent and encouraging people to really flourish to their full potential is something as a city that we are deeply committed to.”