Competitors describe the Games as the After Party to the warm up that is the Olympics.
A giant jigsaw puzzle in she shape of a heart is completed with pieces made from the names of the participating countries[/caption]
The Samba Circle performs during the opening ceremony
Brazil athlete Marcia Malsar falls on the ground with Paralympic torch[/caption]
Athlete Marcia Malsar of Brazil falls on the ground with Paralympic torch[/caption]
Brazilian Paralympic runner Marcia Malsar falls while carrying the torch as rain falls[/caption]
Dancers perform during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony at Maracana Stadium[/caption]
Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony in the Maracana Stadium, at the Summer Paralympics[/caption]
Dancers perform during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony at Maracana Stadium[/caption]
Clodoaldo Silva carries the Paralympic torch during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony[/caption]
Sir Philip Craven and Carlos Arthur Nuzman waiting before their speech at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony[/caption]
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.
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.
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".
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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