Images: Paralympic opening ceremony was a stunning affair

“Enlightenment” was the theme, physicist Stephen Hawking the guide and Olympic Stadium the venue on Wednesday as the British capital welcomed 4,200 athletes from more than 160 nations. Here are images of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony.

Peformers participate in the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London. AP

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A performer is suspended in midair during the Paralympics Opening Ceremony. AP

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Former Paralympic athlete, Grey-Thompson, is lifted into air in Olympic Stadium during opening ceremony of London 2012 Paralympic Games. Reuters

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Performers with umbrellasare suspended in the air. AP

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Margaret Maughan, Britain's first Paralympic gold medalist, lights the Paralympic flame. AP

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Performers participate in the Opening Ceremony. AP

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Performers race suspended in mid-air during the Opening Ceremony. AP

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The cauldron burns in the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Reuters

Written by FP Archives