Paralympics 2016 as it happened: The opening ceremony in Rio sets the right tone as Games begin
Follow the latest from the opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games
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Your support makes all the difference.The 2016 Paralympic Games begin on Wednesday night with the opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium as Rio de Janeiro once again becomes the focal point of the sporting world. Competition begins on Thursday morning, meaning that another night of rhythm, colour and the best that Brazil has to offer will take centre stage once again following last month’s Olympic Games. Follow the latest here.
- The opening ceremony begins at 21:30 BST
- Kevin Garside: Over to you Rio, make the world smile again
- Full schedule for the Rio Paralympics
- How the Paralympics came to be
- Five British paralympians to look out for
- Why Rio 2016 can build on London’s Paralympic legacy
- Stephen Miller ready for sixth Games after late intervention
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The 2016 Rio Paralympic Games take place in Brazil from Thursday 08 September until Sunday 18 September
Cynicism and avarice invariably remain a part of the Paralympic discussion. It is a measure of how far it has come that athletes are now no longer the plucky underdogs of the sporting world but established international superstars in their own right. With such a climb in stature inevitably comes a new wave of athletes who may push the boundaries to gain an advantage. The rumbling classification scandal which has hit Paralympic sport, while undoubtedly a blot on the copybook, is nonetheless a signal of how far the movement has come. This opening ceremony has reminded the world - and indeed the disabled community - of that in a fitting and moving manner.
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