Paralympics 2016: Watch the Games kick off in truly spectacular fashion with daredevil wheelchair jump from Aaron Wheelz
THE Paralympics in Rio kicked off last night with a truly spectacular daredevil jump.
Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham pulled off the phenomenal leap as he charged down the ramp, sped through a massive blazing ‘O’ and somersaulted in the air.
IMAGE: Getty Images Aaron Wheelz goes down a MegaRamp at the start of the the Opening Ceremony[/caption]
IMAGE: AP:Associated Press US extreme wheelchair athlete Aaron Wheelz jumps from the mega ramp during the opening ceremony[/caption]
IMAGE: Getty Images
Competitors describe the Games as the After Party to the warm up that is the Olympics.
IMAGE: AP:Associated Press A giant jigsaw puzzle in she shape of a heart is completed with pieces made from the names of the participating countries[/caption]
IMAGE: AP:Associated Press
The Samba Circle performs during the opening ceremony
American Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy dances with a robot during the opening ceremony IMAGE: Getty ImagesAmy Purdy dances with robot Kuka during the Opening Ceremony IMAGE: Getty ImagesAn amazing display including fireworks was put on for the excited crowd in Rio IMAGE: Getty Images
IMAGE: Getty Images Brazil athlete Marcia Malsar falls on the ground with Paralympic torch[/caption]
IMAGE: Getty Images Athlete Marcia Malsar of Brazil falls on the ground with Paralympic torch[/caption]
IMAGE: Reuters Brazilian Paralympic runner Marcia Malsar falls while carrying the torch as rain falls[/caption]
IMAGE: ReutersTeam GB are hoping to finish second behind China in the medal table IMAGE: PA:Press Association
IMAGE: Getty Images Dancers perform during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony at Maracana Stadium[/caption]
IMAGE: KEYSTONE Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony in the Maracana Stadium, at the Summer Paralympics[/caption]
IMAGE: Getty Images Dancers perform during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony at Maracana Stadium[/caption]
IMAGE: Getty Images Clodoaldo Silva carries the Paralympic torch during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony[/caption]
IMAGE: Getty Images Sir Philip Craven and Carlos Arthur Nuzman waiting before their speech at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony[/caption]
The feat of finishing second for Team GB has been made easier with Russia‘s exclusion IMAGE: AP:Associated PressLee Pearson led ParalympicsGB into the arena IMAGE: PA:Press AssociationIn Britain alone there is wheelchair racer David Weir, swimmers Ellie Simmonds and Ollie Hynd and cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, who will bid to surpass Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson as the British female with the most Paralympic gold medals on Thursday's opening day IMAGE: PA:Press AssociationMaracana Stadium played host to the competitors from each nation as Games begin IMAGE: AP:Associated PressBrazil's judo athlete Rafaela Silva holds the Olympic torch during the ceremony IMAGE: Reuters10 times gold medallist Lee Pearson holds the British flag IMAGE: PA:Press AssociationTeam USA march around the stadium during the Opening Ceremony IMAGE: ReutersLight shows, musicians and dancers kicked off what is sure to be a remarkable Paralympics IMAGE: Sportsfile
And seventeen days after the Olympics closed, with the Paralympics embroiled in the worst build-up in its 56-year history, Brazil belatedly got into the party mood.
Now Rio and the world must prepare to be amazed over the next 11 days.
London 2012 began what was meant to be a turning point in the history of the competition, with Paralympians considered sports stars first and foremost.
Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympics IMAGE: AP:Associated PressPerformers create the Brazilian flag to mark their hosting of the Games IMAGE: Getty ImagesThe South Africa team arrive at the Maracana Stadium in Rio IMAGE: ReutersIt was a spectacular event with live shows on to entertain the crowd IMAGE: Getty ImagesThe Maracana stadium was full of people coming to see the Paralympics begin IMAGE: Getty ImagesDancers kept spectators entertained as competitors marched around the stadium IMAGE: Getty ImagesBrazil outdid themselves with the encapsulating display at the Maracana IMAGE: Getty ImagesWorkers at the Maracana Stadium pulled out all the stops at the Opening Ceremony IMAGE: Getty Images
It was hoped to be a watershed moment for the Paralympic movement. But the incompetence of Rio's organising committee - using Paralympic funds as contingency for the Olympics - left the Games feeling like an afterthought.
Despite the slow uptake of tickets, 1459 days since the London Paralympics closed on September 9, 2012, the 78,000-seat Maracana was full on Brazil's Independence Day.
More than 4300 athletes from 159 nations, plus two refugees in an independent team, are prepared to perform to the peak of their physical capabilities and change perceptions of what is possible.
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It is the biggest Paralympics yet - in terms of athletes participating - and the greatest performances are expected to take place in Rio.
Remember the names. Brazilians will cheer swimmer Daniel Dias, athletes Alan Oliveira and Terezinha Guilhermina.
The Maracana Stadium is lit up in green during the dazzling display IMAGE: SportsfileAthletes from China take part in the Paralympics 2016 Opening Ceremony IMAGE: ReutersThe view of the Opening Ceremony at the Maracana Stadium was breathtaking IMAGE: Getty ImagesColombian athletes acknowledge the crowd as they travel around the stadium IMAGE: ReutersTeam GB are aiming to finish second in the medal table behind favourites China IMAGE: ReutersTeam South Korea make their way around the Maracana as the Games are opened IMAGE: ReutersSpectators make their way into the Maracana Stadium as the Opening Ceremony begins IMAGE: Getty ImagesMusicians perform for spectators and athletes in Rio IMAGE: AP:Associated PressTeam Australia enter the Maracana Stadium as the Opening Ceremony begins IMAGE: Getty Images
American Tatyana McFadden will go for seven gold medals and others will emerge in the frame.
In Britain alone there is wheelchair racer David Weir, swimmers Ellie Simmonds and Ollie Hynd and cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, who will bid to surpass Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson as the British female with the most Paralympic gold medals on Thursday's opening day.
Lee Pearson led ParalympicsGB into the arena as part of a show with a central theme of "Everybody has a heart".
Independent athletes wave at the crowd on their tour of the stadium IMAGE: AP:Associated PressTeam Croatia turn out during the Opening Ceremony at the Maracana IMAGE: ReutersOutstanding acts were performed to get people in the After Party mood IMAGE: Getty ImagesA full Maracana Stadium cheered on the athletes as they entered the arena IMAGE: ReutersFireworks add to the sensational Opening Ceremony in Brazil IMAGE: Getty ImagesThe 2016 Paralympics Games opened on Wednesday at the Maracana Stadium IMAGE: ReutersTeam Switzerland are one of the 159 nations taking part in the Paralympic Games IMAGE: AP:Associated PressTeam Germany enter the Maracana as the Opening Ceremony gets underway IMAGE: AP:Associated PressIt was a colourful affair at the Maracana with plenty of performances going on IMAGE: Getty Images
The ten-time equestrian gold medallist was chosen by his 263 fellow athletes, who are aiming to surpass their London 2012 total by winning 121 medals over 11 days of competition.
Second place on the medal table - behind China - is also the target. Russia's absence helps.
With its stance in the wake of revelations of state-sponsored doping in Russia, the International Paralympic Committee and its president Sir Philip Craven showed the leadership and stance the International Olympic Committee did not. Principled. Honest. And spirited.
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