During a picturesque ceremony, all Russian athletes who were prohibited from taking part in the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro paraded through the concert hall, the same way as at the opening ceremonies for the global Olympic and Paralympic Games. Among them was former Brazilian Paralympic medalist Marcia Malsar, who fell over backwards as she carried the torch across the floor with aid of a cane.
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However, as the first fireworks exploded and then disappeared into the sky above Brazil’s iconic Maracana stadium, those worries became a distant memory. This follows concerns about half-empty stadiums at numerous Olympics events. Only 200,000 were sold a few weeks ago, but they’ve now sold 1.6 million.
In fact, after announcing on Sunday that 1.5 million tickets had been sold, organizers are now hopeful of a complete 2.5 million sell-out.
Not all of the 177-strong Australian team were present for the ceremony, with many watching back in the athletes’ village.
The ceremony had American Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy dancing with a robot.
APPHOTO XLAT434: The Paralympic Cauldron is lit at the Maracana Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. Among the USA athletes is 37-year-old Noga Nir-Kistler, an Israeli-born swimmer competing in her third Paralympic Games.
Addressing thousands of people in the Maracana stadium, where teams from across the globe were welcomed, Sir Philip said: “Through the performances of Paralympians, you will see the true meaning of sport and the true definition of ability”.
Tim Hollingsworth rejected allegations some track and field athletes will be competing against rivals who are significantly more disabled.
They have swimmer Xu Qing competing in his fourth and possibly last Games, seeking to add to his seven gold medals. This is partly a result of the reasonable prices for many tickets.
On behalf of all Canadians, I wish much success to all the athletes, coaches and support personnel representing Canada at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
At a glitzy opening ceremony in a concert hall just outside Moscow, Russian pop stars serenaded disappointed members of the country’s Paralympic team ahead of two days of competitions.
The five-time Paralympian said: ” At a Games full of inspiring stories, yours may well be the most inspiring of all”.
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Rio 2016 organizing committee chairman Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Craven and loudest of all Brazil President Michel Temer were jeered.
