The opening ceremony for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games brought together some 4,350 athletes from over 170 nations for a dazzling event which went under the motto "A New World".
A performer takes part in the opening ceremonyUeslei Marcelino/ Reuters
Held at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the ceremony featured a tribute to the wheel, Brazil's swirling samba and to the beach – a ritual gathering spot in seaside city. The ceremony saw groups of dancers dressed in geometric-style patterns, creating spectacular displays. The symbolic cauldron was lit by Brazilian swimmer and wheelchair user Clodoaldo Silva. The show also saluted Brazilian swimmer Daniel Dias, the country's most decorated Paralympian with 10 gold medals.
Performers take part during the opening ceremonyUeslei Marcelino/ ReutersDancers perform during the opening ceremonyBruna Prado/ Getty ImagesPerformers take part in the opening ceremonySergio Moraes/ ReutersPerformers take part during the opening ceremonyUeslei Marcelino/ ReutersPerformers take part during the opening ceremonySergio Moraes/ ReutersRain falls on participants during the opening ceremonyUeslei Marcelino/ ReutersBrazilian Paralympic swimmer Clodoaldo Silva lights the flame during the opening ceremonyReuters
Despite an initial lull in ticket sales – only 200,000 sold a few weeks ago – organisers now say that tickets sales have boomed, and have now sold 1.6 million. This is partly a result of the reasonable prices for many tickets, only 10 Brazilian reals (£0.70, $3). Brazil is currently enduring its worst recession in generations. The country just removed its elected president, Dilma Rousseff and these games needed a government bailout of almost $80m to make it to the starting line. Brazilian president Michel Temer was booed during the ceremony.
IBTimesUK takes a look at some of the best photos from the ceremony:
Fireworks erupt during the opening ceremonyCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ ReutersAthletes watch Seu Jorge performAtsushi Tomura/ Getty ImagesThe cauldron is lit during the opening ceremonyUeslei Marcelino/ ReutersA performer takes part in the opening ceremonyCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ ReitersA performer dances with a robotic arm during the opening ceremonyUeslei Marcelino/ ReutersBrazilian Paralympic runner Marcia Malsar is assisted after falling while carrying the torch as rain falls during the opening ceremonyUeslei Marcelino/ ReutersAthletes from Brazil take part in the opening ceremonyRicardo Moraes/ ReutersAthletes from Italy take part in the opening ceremonyRicardo Moraes/ ReutersAthletes from Spain take part in the opening ceremonyRicardo Moraes/ ReutersAthletes from the France take part in the opening ceremonyRicardo Moraes/ ReutersA member of Bahrain's delegation enters the stadiumYasuyoshi Chiba/ AFPAthletes from Australia take part in the opening ceremonyUeslei Marcelino/ ReutersPerformers take part in the opening ceremonyUeslei Marcelino/ ReutersMembers of Tonga's delegation enter the stadiumYasuyoshi Chiba/ AFPMembers of Ukraine's delegation enter the stadiumYasuyoshi Chiba/ AFPAthletes from the United States take part in the opening ceremonyRicardo Moraes/ ReutersMembers of Nigeria's delegation enter the stadiumYasuyoshi Chiba/ AFPNational flags are seen during the opening ceremonyJason O'Brien/ Reuters
