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.
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Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko expressed his regret about the fact that the Russian Paralympic athletes were suspended from the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Recall that during the parade of nations at the Maracana stadium at Wednesday night’s opening ceremony, Belarusian team’s javelin thrower Alexander Tryputs carried the flag of Russian Federation along with their national flag.
More than 30 Israeli athletes will compete in the 2016 Paralympics in a range of events including tennis, table tennis, goalball, rowing, sailing and swimming.
Russian Federation kicks off its own version of the Paralympic Games after its national team was banned from competing in Rio.
Over 80 Paralympians were affected by the IPC’s ban and Russian Federation will host its alternate Games on September 8 and 9 outside of Moscow, over 7,000 miles away from Rio.
International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven said he was notified just five weeks ago that funding for the games was tight. The Olympic Channel’s daily coverage from Rio de Janeiro will be available in 162 territories and includes events and highlights shows, and concludes with the Closing Ceremony on September 18.
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The 2016 Paralympic Games opened Wednesday with a bang – and a somersault. Brazil’s 10-time Paralympic champion Daniel Dias swimming in a virtual pool before a colourful samba on virtual sands. Mr Craven, who lost the use of his legs in a rock-climbing fall at the age of 16, reminded Brazilians they have their own problems to overcome.
“In a country which has faced major challenges of late, Paralympians will switch your focus from perceived limitations to a world full of possibility and endless opportunity”, Craven said.
However, while both Nuzman’s and Craven’s speeches were mostly well received by the crowd, they were not without awkward moments, particularly when each thanked the Brazilian government. On Saturday, she will race in the 500-meter indoor time trial, in which she set a national record during the world championships in Italy earlier this year. “We are all part of one world”. 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.
Earlier on Wednesday, Craven said ticket sales for the 11-day Paralympics had reached nearly 1.7 million, having risen from 300,000 less than three weeks ago. He thus became the first athlete to enter the stadium for the 2016 Games.
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Temer’s role was brief as he officially opened the Games and handed over to more performers.
