This was published 10 years ago
Paralympics extravaganza begins
Flickering lights and fireworks sent the crowd at Maracana stadium crazy at Paralympic opening ceremony. (AAP)
Attribution: Not Supplied
The Maracana was lit up with a spectacular show ahead of the 11-day tournament. (Getty)
Attribution: Not Supplied
Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, an extreme wheelchair athlete from Las Vegas, rode down a slide at high speed as fireworks exploded either side of him before soaring through a hole and taking the breath away of onlookers with an astonishing mid-air somersault. (AFP)
Attribution: Not Supplied
The creative directors wanted to conjure a vision of a world in which disabled people are treated with equality. Wheelchairs were an integral part of the evening, with a tribute made in the form of a Samba Circle. (AAP)
Attribution: Not Supplied
Wonderfully choreographed pyrotechnics display lights up the stadium once again. (Getty)
Attribution: Not Supplied
Fireworks dazzle the sky at Maracana stadium during the Paralympic opening ceremony.(AAP)
Attribution: Not Supplied
Paralympic snowboard athlete Amy Purdy dances with a robot to represent the impact of technology on the Paralympics, the 36-year-old wowed the Maracana with her choreographed routine with the machine. (AAP)
Attribution: Not Supplied
An immaculate performance of the Brazilian national anthem by João Carlos Martins, a classical pianist who received a huge ovation as the performers on the stage came together to form a Brazilian flag, while the biggest cheer of the evening came when the home team emerged. (AAP)
Attribution: Not Supplied
Brazilian flag bearer and javelin thrower Shirlene Coelho led the host nation out at Maracana stadium. Coelho is the fist woman to be given the honour and the first Brazilian flagbearer to be elected by her peers. (AAP)
A fan of team Brazil gets into the spirit of things outside the Maracana. (AAP)
Attribution: Not SuppliedView more galleries
Most viewed in Sport
Opetaia vs Mikaelian RECAP: Polarising US star knocks out Benn, Opetaia retains gold
Sabalenka left heartbroken as new world No.1 ends her US Open reign
Hynes blasts ‘embarrassing’ stadium saga as empty seats expose sorry sight
NRL finals RECAP: DCE shanks golden opportunity after Cleary’s ice-cold winner
