The Paralympic Games opened in Rio on Wednesday night with a feat to defy expectations in a carnival atmosphere at the Maracana Stadium.
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While hundreds of Paralympic athletes, some war veterans, proudly marched at Maracanã, Brazilians were not able to watch them since the basic channels were not carrying the opening spectacle.
There will be an opening ceremony, medals available and Russia’s sport minister, Vitaly Mutko, will also be present over the two days of competition.
The presence of Brazil’s President Michel Temer (4th R) was protested by thousansds in the crowd.
Are you ready for more Rio?
The Paralympics has been embroiled in the worst build-up in its 56-year history, but Brazil belatedly got into the Paralympic mood.
The “para” in “Paralympics” stands for “parallel”, not “paraplegic” as many people assume, because the Games are held parallel, or equal, to the Olympic Games.
The central theme of the opening ceremony was “Everybody has a heart” with the president of the International Paralympic Committee Philip Craven making a rousing speech, highlighting the inspiration behind the event.
“You will witness how Paralympic sport has the ability to inspire an individual, and the outstanding capacity to transform communities, countries and continents”, said Craven, addressing the people of Rio.
“That’s where transformation happens”, he said. 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.
Bach is reportedly due at a mourning ceremony in Berlin for the late West German president, Walter Scheel.
The Parade of Nations included 164 delegations representing some 4,350 athletes, except of course for Russian Federation, which is banned for its poor anti-doping record.
There were also reports in Globo and other Brazilian media outlets that Bach is wanted for questioning by local police investigating an illegal ticket selling ring allegedly involving a senior Irish Olympic official. “You can not come to a more passionate country for sport, but you’ve got to engage with the hearts”, Craven said.
It led to Russia setting up an alternative version of the Games for banned athletes, with Mutko taking fire at the IPC at the Opening Ceremony in the Russian capital.
Nevertheless, for the athletes it’s all about elevating the worldwide profile of the games.
Organisers say tickets sales have been booming. This follows concerns about half-empty stadiums at numerous Olympic events.
But organizers have reported a dramatic turnaround in the last few days. “We’re out on the water for four or five hours every day competing”.
“We’ll soon be over the 1.7 million mark”. The goal is 2.4 million.
Seu Jorge, who was in charge of wrapping up the ceremony, was accompanied by musicians Circle Samba and made the Maracana audience move their bodies. She now works for the International Paralympic Committee athletics.
Participants react under fireworks.
Will the New Zealand Paralympics team retain the title of top medals per capita, achieved in London four years ago?
He would go on to win a bronze medal in 1984 and gold in 1988 before switching his focus to sailing in 2000.
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