Among them was former Brazilian Paralympic medalist Marcia Malsar, who wobbled and fell over backward as she carried the torch across floor with aid of a cane. “Nevertheless, I would like to stress that it was the state’s stance, including the stance of our president and the president of the Paralympic Committee (of Belarus)”.
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American wheelchair athlete Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham sped down a sixty-foot ramp and performed a reverse somersault through the air amidst a sea of fireworks to kick off the opening ceremony in spectacular fashion.
With a single piano, the maestro Joao Carlos Martins was in charge of adding music to the anthem of Brazil and the hoisting of the flag of the country.
Her compatriot Allison Jones, who was born without her right femur, was chosen as her country’s flag bearer and holds the honor of being one of few athletes to win gold medals in both the Paralympics and winter Paralympics.
When the Brazilian team came out in flower-patterned jackets, led by a storming contingent of athletes in wheelchairs, the legendary football stadium roared in delirium. “We are all part of one world”. “You all have the power to change communities, countries and cities”.
“A hero has appeared today amongst us”. You have the opportunity to make the world a better place. “We won’t forget this”.
As did an appearance from Brazil’s new president Michel Temer, who officially declared the Games open with a remarkably short speech so as not to draw more ire from the crowd.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony lasted for three hours and operated under the motto “everybody has a heart”, Marcelo Paiva, one of the directors, told Xinhua.
Clodoaldo Silva, a national hero and six-time Paralympic champion, was given the honor of finishing the relay and was poignantly faced by a flight of stairs, which turned into a ramp to allow him to ignite the cauldron. Reflecting the four Paralympic values: courage, determination, inspiration and equality, the colourful quadrangular torch did not burn out and gave way to the final show. The move was reminiscent of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Opening Ceremony.
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Most of the 178 Australian athletes had already been through the classification process and reached certain qualification criteria prior to leaving for Rio, although some were classified in the days leading up to and after the opening ceremony.
