Heartbreaking moment Afghan flag flown at Paralympics with no athletes behind it

This is the heartbreaking moment the Afghanistan flag was paraded around the Paralympics opening ceremony despite none of their athletes making it to the games.

 A volunteer stepped in to honour the country in ‘solidarity’ as the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in the Middle East. 

 Para-taekwondo athlete Zakia Khudadadi and discus thrower Hossain Rasouli would have been Afghanistan’s only athletes at the Paralympics.

But they could not reach Tokyo after the Taliban took control more than a week ago. 

 The job of bearing Afghanistan’s black, red and green flag – which the Taliban is tearing down across the country – was given to a UN representative. 

 About 4,400 athletes are gearing up to compete in Japan, with the British team made up of 227 Paralympians across 19 sports.

 Swimmer Ellie Simmonds and archer John Stubbs led Team GB as flagbearers into the National Stadium, where the Olympics opening ceremony took place in July.