The famous Maracana stadium is packed and the Paralympians seated across the field as the proceedings kick off with fireworks.
Advertisement
Flags have also been lowered around the Paralympic village.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, according to the IPC.
With 147 medals, 64 golds, 49 Paralympic and 27 world records, this is our most prosperous Games since 1968.
International Paralympic Committee president Sir Philip Craven introduced a minute’s silence to commemorate the cyclist’s life.
Referring to the political instability and deep recession weighing down Brazil as it put on South America’s first Olympics in August and then the Paralympics, he conceded that it had been “a mission of many doubts”.
A moving film portrayed the impact of the Tokyo 1964 Games, where Japan made its Paralympic debut.
“We’re going to miss them, yes”, he said.
A lack of interest in tickets ahead of the Games had raised fears of failure, but after heavily discounting the prices, officials said they sold 2.1 million, less than in London four years ago but more than in Beijing in 2008. Part of that success, however, was due to many tickets being sold for as little as $3 (RM12.42) – or given away to school children in an global fill-the-seats campaign.
Channel 4 will also use its acclaimed All 4 digital platform to broadcast increased coverage of live Paralympic sport – with even greater resource diverted to social media and online targeting of new audiences and the creation of a 24-7 zone for para-sport followers, old and new.
Craven warned earlier Sunday that “major change” will be needed from Russian Federation to be allowed back into Paralympic competition.
The total easily surpasses the tally from London 2012, when Paralympics GB earned 120 medals.
The cavalcade of Brazilian pop stars who performed during the celebration included Nação Zumbi, Vanessa da Mata, Céu, Saulo Fernandes, Dream Team do Passinho, Nego do Borel, Gaby Amarantos, and maybe the biggest of them all, Ivete Sangalo, who closed out the celebration in spectacular fashion.
“Today we are so happy because the sitting volleyball team were able to win the gold medal”.
Britain’s Olympic athletes won 27 golds from 15 sports, and 67 medals in total, smashing UK Sport’s pre-Games target of at least 48 medals, meaning Rio was the nation’s most successful “away” Games.
Advertisement
Ukraine finished third with 117 medals, while the USA (115) and Australia (81) rounded out the top five.
