In just a week the bulk of the 29-strong New Zealand Paralympics team head to Japan in preparation for the games starting on August 24.
There is a cause for concern, however, with Covid cases in Tokyo alone skyrocketing to more than 5000 a day, posing a real risk to athletes.
“I talked to a friend about a week ago and he was like 'ah you're mad why would you go there!' 'I was like maybe I am!'” says Wheel Blacks player Gavin Rolton.
Rolton is a tetraplegic, and has no feeling from his collarbone down.
“Our diaphragms don't work like they used to, so I don't really cough and breathing could be compromised,” Rolton says.
Many in the Paralympics team are immune compromised as well. Barney Konefernisi lost his legs and hands from meningitis as a baby.
“With our arms pretty much being our legs we push everywhere and we just don't know what sort of bacteria or virus we might be picking up while we're pushing,” he says.
In the week leading up to their departure, 1 NEWS had to zoom call our Paralympic athletes who are currently self-isolating and limiting contact before flying to Japan.
“We’ve been lucky enough to watch the Olympics and it looks like it's been really successful so it's nice of them to do a trial run for us,” Rolton joked.
While these games pose a greater risk for our para athletes it’s not stopping them achieving their Paralympics dream.
“It sounds kind of selfish but it's always been a dream of ours to go to the Paralympics," Koneferenisi said.
"We might come to the next Paralympics and might get the cut, so this is like an opportunity that if we don't take it, we might lose it.”
Rolton says it’s about more than becoming a Paralympian.
“When new fellas come along and they're fresh to their injury, it's good to show what's possible as well, so yeah, along with playing the sport that's what I love as well.”
So with the Paralympics calling they’ve got their game plan sorted.
“What’s that saying? Come home with gold - just don't come home with Covid," laughs Koneferenisi.
TVNZ Duke will show all the New Zealand moments from noon until 1am daily from August 24, and highlights will be on TVNZ 1, Duke and OnDemand.
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