Spectacular Opening Ceremony in front of sell out Crowd

The Beijing Paralympics kicked off in a spectacular fashion, in front of a 92,000 sell out crowd at the Birds Nest Stadium and with the whole stadium buzzing with anticipation for the World’s Paralympic stars. The Opening Ceremony did not disappoint and was a magical spectacle in front of one of the biggest crowds ever for a PG Opening Ceremony, with, for the first time, a large number of disabled people represented in the performances. One of the most poignant moments of the Ceremony was when a 12 year old girl whose dream had been to be a ballerina and who lost her leg in the recent earthquake in China gave her message of hope and inspiration – summing up that the Paralympic Games is about Sport but for many is also for many a symbol of overcoming adversity and moving forward to the future.

Beijing looking Good

The Opening Ceremony has set the scene for what it is now hoped will be one of the best Paralympic Games to date, with hopes for some outstanding sporting performances and new records. Early indications are that facilities provided for Paralympic athletes are impressive.

Former Paralympic GB Basketball legend Ade Adepitan,  who had the honour of taking part in the torch relay to bring the Olympic flame to the Bird’s Nest Stadium for the Opening Ceremony, gave his comments on his experiences of the Beijing Paralympic Games so far and the reaction of the Chinese public to hosting the Games. Ade commented ‘the Chinese are so happy and proud to have the Paralympics in their country’.

Paralympic Sport moves forward and Changes Attitudes

Ade also commented about what he had observed about the Being Games and the progress made for Paralympic Sport and in changing attitudes towards it, ‘this Paralympics has moved on so much in terms of top quality venues and top quality athletes……..Going through the city seeing Paralympic Stars at bus stops and on billboards is amazing’. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson added her comments about how much hosting the Games had promoted positive changes. ‘The speed and depth of change is amazing and how they now have accessibility now throughout the city, this is a different city from the place I visited four years ago.

 Increasing Influence on the World Stage

The Beijing Paralympic Games shows a marked increase in the numbers of countries from around the globe competing as more countries embrace the Paralympic Movement. Iran has sent athletes to the Games for the first time and Head of State, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad demonstrated his support by attending the Opening Ceremony.