Amidst political protest Paralympic Games kick-start.
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If there were any concerns Rio would struggle to regain the high experienced during the Olympics, they were quickly dispelled as Aaron Fotheringham – otherwise known as Aaron Wheelz – drew rapturous cheers from the crowd as he back-flipped through the air.
However, there have been suggestions that the no-show had more to do with divisions over the Paralympic committee’s outright ban on Russian athletes after allegations of a state-sanctioned doping programme and the IOC’s softer line, which allowed some Russians to compete.
One of the stars of the ceremony was American athlete Amy Purdy, a Paralympic medallist in snowboarding at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics. So we don’t understand why it can not be broadcast.
The six-time gold medalist faced a flight of stairs and looked perplexed about what to do next.
Indian-origin Nio who will be at the Games Village said that he is ready to provide coverage of the Paralympics Games 2016 in India.
She beat fellow Brit Crystal Lane in the C5 3,000m individual pursuit with a truly dominant display, catching and overlapping her compatriot after just 1,375m meters to retain her Paralympic title.
In Paralympic powerlifting, athletes compete in a single lift – the bench press – and have three attempts, with the heaviest lift counting toward their final placement.
Italy’s Alex Zanardi had both his legs amputated after a horrific CART crash in Germany 15 years ago and is now aiming to defend his road race and time trial titles in hand cycling’s H4 class.
Brazil’s Odair Santos followed in silver position, while fellow Kenyan Eric Sang won the bronze – sending the East African nation to the top of the medals table at the outset of the competition.
Among the opening remarks made by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) communications director Craig Spence at a Rio 2016 Paralympics media briefing here today was “sport is the story of the Games now”.
While events such as swimming and athletics will be competitive, due to the lack of para-athletes in other disciplines many events will be demonstrations. “It’s been an absolutely brilliant opening ceremony”.
Perhaps stemming from frustration with the political turmoil now gripping the country, boos and hisses rang down from the mostly hometown crowd at any mention of their nation’s government, with the loudest boos reserved for interim-President Michel Temer, who appeared next to officially open the Games.
Another is the Brazilian Government, which was booed every time it was mentioned by Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman during his speech at the Opening Ceremony.
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Aside from those two sour moments, the opening ceremony dazzled and carried important messages of equality and inclusion throughout.
