Under the banner of ‘The World United in One’, Tokyo 1964 opened underbr the watchful eyes of the Crown Prince and Princess Michiko, thebr Japanese Minister of Welfare, the Governor of Tokyo and the foundingbr father of the Paralympic Movement, Sir Ludwig Guttmann. The gatheredbr dignitaries watched the athletes’ parade, lead into the Oda Fieldbr within the Olympic Village by Japanese Marching Girls. The youngstersbr carried drums on which they sounded-out a beat for the leaders of thebr procession. Charlie Atkinson, accompanied by a British ex-guardsmen andbr two Japanese athletes, marched whilst carrying the banner of the Stokebr Mandeville Games. Hundreds of people watched as speeches were deliveredbr by the Crown Prince and other representatives. Guttmann made a gesturebr of the gratitude of the Paralympic Movement by presenting medals to thebr Crown Prince, the Minister of Welfare, the Governor of Tokyo and Mr.br Kasai, Chairperson of the Organising Committee. In his speech, Guttmannbr said “I hope most sincerely that the 1964 International Stokebr Mandeville Games […] will go down in history as another milestone inbr the development of sport for the disabled and one of humanity’s finestbr achievements.” The oath was taken by a Japanese athlete who pledged hisbr commitment to the three ideals of the Games - friendship, unity andbr sportsmanship. Marking the climax of the Opening Ceremony, hundreds ofbr doves were released into the autumn sky to symbolise peace and thebr freedom and beauty of movement. Finally, the teams were greeted andbr inspected by the Crown Prince and Princess accompanied by Guttmann andbr Mr. Kasai, before members of the national Self Defence Force performedbr a colourful display of fencing. Holding up a mirror to the past Thebr Closing Ceremony of Tokyo 1964 was held in the great indoor gymnasium,br again under the patronage of the Crown Prince and Princess. The venuebr was packed with a capacity crowd of 5,000, with many having to standbr just to catch a glimpse of the ceremony. The athletes and teams,br dressed in their official uniforms, were escorted by the same Japanesebr Defence Force, this time bearing the national flag of each country. Thebr Crown Princess presented a variety of trophies and was followed bybr speeches by Guttmann, a representative of the Prime Minister of Japan,br the Minister of Health and the Governor of Tokyo. Everybody presentbr collectively sang Auld Lang Syne and as the sound of thousands ofbr people joining together rang-out, the atmosphere was unforgettable andbr truly celebratory. In a mark of the gravity and impact of the Games,br young Japanese students and children clamoured to catch the hats of thebr athletes and participants who were moved to toss them into thebr gathering crowds. “Not much of a Closing Ceremony,” remembered Walton.br “But in my experience, most closings seem to be a party, which that onebr was as well, but no real Closing Ceremony.