Opening with a Big Bang! Disabled genius Stephen Hawking is the star turn at the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony - and after a day of rain how sensible to have brought so many umbrellas
1 S6 S( { a) v' \0 j1 y$ U+ y f- The astrophysicist, who has motor neurone disease, takes centre stage as he launches spectacular show
- Renowned scientist, 70, took viewers on an'exquisite journey of discovery' in his unique and distinctive voice
- Themes include 'empowerment' and 'challenging perceptions of human possibility'
- He lead a host of deaf and disabled artists, local children and performers newly trained in circus skills
- Sir Ian McKellen acted scenes from Shakespeare's The Tempest in the role of Prospero
- The show, called Enlightenment, will urge the crowd to take part in the world's largest 'apple crunch'
By Matt Blake
- E/ [/ W! [8 P/ }& i5 v& o1 {& G公仔箱論壇
' Q7 V6 Q7 M6 ?# F# `5.39.217.76The Paralympic Games exploded with a Big Bang as Professor Stephen Hawking launched the Opening Ceremony in front of more than a billion viewers on an 'exquisite journey of discovery'.tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb9 M7 t3 H0 m6 @6 y0 k4 v' _4 B$ V
The renowned astro-physicist, who has motor neurone disease, opened the spectacular in his unique and distinctive voice.
2 E1 |9 a3 l9 G3 y- JTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。
6 V$ \; n3 _2 Q( n公仔箱論壇Sir Ian McKellen then portrayed Prospero from the Tempest before Professor Hawking guided the audience through 'the wonders of science' in a variety of narratives inspired by his seminal tome A Brief History of Time.. o- y$ w3 n4 w7 _1 A" X$ ~% j3 D3 L
8 @, s+ D2 R/ z$ m% Y3 N ] tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb+ I# e. q; o* a) ?9 x' E& L
World's greatest scientist: Stephen Hawking takes centre stage at the launch of the Olympics Opening Ceremony in the Olympic stadium in front of a billion viewers
7 ^; B& [5 \0 S4 W1 KTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。
0 G; O7 D4 A" Qtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb
_9 ^9 W) P- Q, w htvb now,tvbnow,bttvbStunning: Hundreds of performers holding umbrellas form a ring around the middle of the Olympic Stadium as the ceremony gets into full swing公仔箱論壇# b" S; M' p% Y; p/ a7 W! f
TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。/ a9 z; P5 P& E
tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb6 F" s- G. `+ }/ {* I) V# T2 P" b/ t6 i
Crunch time: A wheelchair-bound artist rides atop a giant apple, which became a central theme of the show in reference to the moment Sir Isaac Newton formulated the theory of gravity after an apple fell on his head
! o. }4 @- \6 f A6 ] ?4 D5 i$ Q7 s! @) \) P
! v8 z* S1 W: f
Fitting props: Performers fly in with umbrellas at the start of the opening ceremony on what turned out to be a rather damp day in London- y' {: v& H; N; h: |
! |, E' x* _8 S0 b5 |tvb now,tvbnow,bttvbProf Hawking and actor Sir Ian McKellen played prominent roles in the opening ceremony, which also featured a host of deaf and disabled artists, local children and performers newly-trained in circus skills.# p9 ~( J! x+ c& Q
! }2 G3 M8 A1 {$ o- |! I7 K
They were being officially opened by the Queen, who said in a statement released in advance: 'It is with tremendous pride that the people of London and the United Kingdom welcome the world to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。& m+ [* w H9 H$ v9 l
5.39.217.76: |( N, v+ n& G) O: x' o1 q O
'The Games are returning to the country where they first began, more than 60 years ago.
8 N. u+ S; m- utvb now,tvbnow,bttvb% p* {/ u% n$ ], p8 c
'We look forward to celebrating the uplifting spirit which distinguishes the Paralympic Games from other events, drawing on Britain's unique sporting heritage.'
/ z/ d, m- Q0 i& C, u& s G8 x; ktvb now,tvbnow,bttvb
' `* j% r7 ^/ t# N
9 ]* E) p0 G& N. Y9 iRoyal approval: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge look on as they take their positions for the start of the opening ceremony
2 l$ ]5 P8 n$ ^TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。! q# F1 v u4 H6 P0 i$ N

$ }. Z6 j6 ^: d: ^Majestic audience: The Queen is greeted with a round of applause as she arrives in the stadium, flanked by Prince Edward, for the event) S& s3 z8 k- [8 l; S
# x/ k+ o7 F9 N" f9 p
a; D) Q5 {( K% BA right royal knees-up: Members of the Royal family are joined by Prime Minister David Cameron (centre), London Mayor Boris Johnson (second right) and London 2012 chief Lord Coe (fourth left)
; z* u1 Z, b/ |, E; N: ?, I- S
8 w9 f, S! m; w, Y; DProf Hawking said: 'The Paralympic Games is about transforming our perception of the world. We are all different. There is no such thing as a standard or run-of-the-mill human being but we share the same human spirit.
9 b& J. r- x5 C, g6 H" t' y! a5.39.217.76
* i, Y; }, a' O2 w9 c5.39.217.76'What is important is that we have the ability to create. This creativity can take many forms, from physical achievement to theoretical physics.TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。: b7 z3 {. i& y" S
* o. O+ `- ^. S8 ^ i- F+ J# r6 e& j) a'However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.'( `. b n6 C* U# C" K
1 ^1 q6 R( Q& x5 V! u, ?' m7 @1 q! _TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。Spectators inside the stadium - plus the millions around the world - were asked to take a bite of an apple at the same time in the world’s biggest ever ‘apple-crunch’.5.39.217.766 I0 }6 p+ y6 P8 F
It was a reference to the story that Sir Isaac came up with the theory of gravity when an apple fell on his head as he sat beneath a tree in 1666.
2 y3 c0 D D, m: r: t+ tTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。
2 y& A9 l. {& ?2 N @9 ^ ATVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。
( ?0 @* n3 H* d+ ^. O2 ntvb now,tvbnow,bttvbThe eyes of the world watch on: Spectators catch the action on a giant screen in London's Trafalgar Square8 g# M% I" Q9 {- K7 C) D
% x4 G9 S0 d4 a2 I! }7 X公仔箱論壇
6 G5 k& L0 c' I, Y- hUp for it: Wheelchair Rugby player Garrett Hichling carries the flag for Canada as the teams parade into the stadiumtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb; G4 P) p! `' C7 @( M. Q
公仔箱論壇% F. @# S* y9 Z3 \! u( }

; T7 m9 s4 |5 s; X# v7 h; h( g0 p. W n公仔箱論壇Taking it all in: Members of the Chinese team, who will hoping for another strong showing in this year's Games, savour the moment as they enter the stadiumtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb, t$ \( A1 [8 [) i) n
tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb5 L& s3 B* f. i% W) R* u
公仔箱論壇* \+ a- {. H6 |# H! S
Pride of a nation: Swimmer Guillermo Marro leads Argentina into the stadium. Paralympic athletes will compete in 20 sports, including archery, cycling, rowing, equestrian and sitting volleyball
: O, ]+ |& L3 F) P1 v2 wtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb公仔箱論壇6 S- {: ^' A' d: H
6 t0 I( d) [3 n: C9 s) s
Festival atmosphere: The athletes make their way into the stadium and take their positions amid a sea of colour
* r$ \* f h+ d4 B7 E/ c s* ]" y5.39.217.765.39.217.76: ]. k; B7 G/ N+ g$ D3 H+ I. C
公仔箱論壇4 z; P2 y# A' x' W/ J. k
Vibrant colours: A pile of giant books, umbrellas hanging from the sky, a 'moon' stage, a web of cables and row upon row of blue plastic chairs featured in the show公仔箱論壇$ i. a( @- o+ n# _/ l
* i! F. z" k2 L! t9 U2 h
" S. H# Y3 @ C" J5 ITVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。Great expectations: The rising interest in the Games has been reflected in ticket sales, a record 2.4 million of the available 2.5 million have been sold so far
1 L' ]! G0 k1 |7 j( x7 P ATVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。 J: F' P: H9 Q: ~/ R
公仔箱論壇- D: w; u* w* g; M2 G/ M K9 F4 [* o; J
Biggest ever: The Games will host the highest number of athletes since their official birth in 1960 at the Rome Games, with 4,280 athletes representing over 160 nations compared to 400 participants from 23 countries in the Italian capitalTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。6 r- {" P0 A$ }6 e3 j6 R$ E% r9 \
5.39.217.76! d! N+ x+ P% u

3 r+ m+ N0 Q4 r2 I5.39.217.76Reaching for the stars: Disabled actress Nicola Miles-Wildin swapped village hall audiences for the world last night when the 34-year-old made a spectacular appearance at the opening ceremony, performing to millions as Miranda from The Tempest
) h6 O- T4 q* Z8 Dtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb: j K% ]# q3 `1 R8 Z/ E0 \! |
tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb/ Y$ g' I" `! P" G. \0 ]$ }
A very British institution: Umbrellas made a regular appearance in the show and, fittingly, it had rained for most of the day in London公仔箱論壇9 }1 O9 T; G) i8 Z9 {: i% k0 ^# g+ u
' j1 i. }+ v0 H9 q, _tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。% F+ G* L x, t' Q M
Sign of things to come: Sir Ian McKellen, playing Prospero from Shakespeare's The Tempest, announces that 'the greatest adventure is what lies ahead'
* a8 R. C! K4 ^4 h
$ @4 ]) L8 d( z & Z; x+ c2 r% x* U% e1 d) V2 l/ q" P; @
Global event: A sphere descends into the stadium past the floodlights as the celebrations get into full flow
' m. F# t! t0 U4 utvb now,tvbnow,bttvbtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb1 J2 j8 v' _" R) f

( a9 u, Y8 @5 f0 F' B6 C* B" Ftvb now,tvbnow,bttvbThe show, called Enlightenment, is expected to urge the 62,000-strong crowd to take part in the world's largest 'apple crunch' as each spectator is given an apple to bite at the same time
8 v# R5 i; s) z/ x+ @/ P8 M5.39.217.761 R- z M& l# L/ H) z0 c

# Y7 ]. z/ b) @2 C' Q- U5.39.217.76Celebrating brilliance: A host of deaf and disabled artists, local children and performers, all newly trained in circus skills, featured in the show, N% S7 x- g% e' a
tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb @! Z/ M" z9 @* Y7 W
Earlier, the Paralympic Flame was greeted by large crowds as it made its way past some of the most famous landmarks in the capital.
# s \3 O# u% I. Y* L; tTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。
0 L) p( N; P7 P6 s8 O0 yFive torchbearers arrived at the zebra crossing outside Abbey Road recording studios to recreate the pose made famous by The Beatles.TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。) S1 W* ~# r2 S+ a: N! Y8 v( w
tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb9 x" }: `0 |# h! U
The torch also visited London Zoo, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall on its journey to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
' w; _8 ~: a1 ?: Q) c
4 e$ E7 X1 P% m: d% r公仔箱論壇Demand for tickets to the Games is still high and 10,000 will be put on sale each day during the event.
: z! V1 a9 |$ H
$ s; ^1 A# ^# atvb now,tvbnow,bttvb 公仔箱論壇6 c' u6 V# t. R: g: \7 C, C
No rain on this parade: A giant umbrella hovers over a giant dome as hundreds of performers are lit up below( y. M" Z" q$ k4 h7 Y0 C
TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。1 v* \" ?& @6 j1 p8 i9 O
* m% Z1 p0 A! n
Lighting up the Games: Professor Hawking leads the spectators on a voyage through the universe as he proves the star turn at the opening ceremony
5 j, T9 X) c! D' |' }/ U# d公仔箱論壇. k, ]% j( a, r, W
5 I0 n1 Z! t# H6 O+ n) r( M
Voyage of discovery: The exploits of man's adventures to the moon featured in the opening ceremony as the audience were guided through the wonders of the cosmos by Stephen Hawking, L' b2 R0 |1 M
TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。# W/ [, p- U6 e# ~+ N
London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said: 'We've tried to get as many people in as we reasonably can. This is a wonderful illustration of how the British public have said we love the Paralympics and want to be part of it.'
6 @' f$ L* Y: z$ Y0 R5.39.217.76. _+ {8 E$ q( I* t( b8 S0 N6 I5 R
Prime Minister David Cameron said of the Games: 'They will create new role models, they will change attitudes to disability and they will have a positive impact on society.'tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb; j w! L9 Y, o: Q
" u; Y( x2 R! r yCulture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: 'For many Brits, this will be the first time they have seen the Paralympic Games at all. It will be a very big moment to really change perceptions and that will be something to be proud of.'! P" @; E% b3 I; M5 f+ L( A
TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。1 E, p, p% z; ] W' h2 x @
Paralympic athletes will compete for 503 gold medals across 20 sports during the London Games, with competitions starting tomorrow.. t4 P8 C) f X" m( i
& ~) n4 _. ^6 t* K D( CTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。 5.39.217.766 Z8 d( H' q! v
Blaze of glory: An aircraft trails fireworks to herald the start the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 ParalympicsTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。: A( @8 i& _7 N% @/ r4 W" y
公仔箱論壇( I9 {0 L) ], Q m F' F2 ]
Prof Hawking and actor Sir Ian McKellen played prominent roles in the opening ceremony, which also featured a host of deaf and disabled artists, local children and performers newly-trained in circus skills.TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。9 T3 v# X9 Z, N+ l# A4 a/ \# z
q( J. ^7 }) ]5 |5 \TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。They were being officially opened by the Queen, who said in a statement released in advance: 'It is with tremendous pride that the people of London and the United Kingdom welcome the world to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.5.39.217.76( h; q3 X0 s" b
5.39.217.760 V4 p! D+ e2 E) q) @; ]
'The Games are returning to the country where they first began, more than 60 years ago.公仔箱論壇* {1 ~' ~# U6 I% [2 w6 V, y
9 |" T5 w/ |% T# D4 t'We look forward to celebrating the uplifting spirit which distinguishes the Paralympic Games from other events, drawing on Britain's unique sporting heritage.'5.39.217.76: v* I( U3 j7 N, T
4 f/ c. u8 C b/ a- r5.39.217.76
* ^* d1 B* P1 ]+ \% H: C* W( e公仔箱論壇Sneak preview: A glimpse inside the Olympic Stadium as preparations are made for the opening ceremony in front of more than a billion viewers across the globe) B9 X- b; H6 I$ k# Z
公仔箱論壇6 x* _; Z/ G* I8 a9 P! }8 m
5.39.217.76* `" r( W! }+ S; m# i$ u
Buzz of anticipation: Spectators fill the Olympic Stadium in readiness for the spectacular opening ceremony to the London Paralympic Games
7 a4 v) |! k2 O, Z2 T5.39.217.76( y) s: \; q6 }5 Q6 C9 E
Prof Hawking said: 'The Paralympic Games is about transforming our perception of the world.; j. W: C' w7 h) I! ~3 o5 g
0 P* a* P( [8 M5.39.217.76'We are all different. There is no such thing as a standard or run-of-the-mill human being but we share the same human spirit. What is important is that we have the ability to create.tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb) ~% b6 G3 K2 p9 n6 |: a* h' o
7 J& M1 R; i5 x- ~* u+ {) j
'This creativity can take many forms, from physical achievement to theoretical physics. However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.'
& z" B. s7 |2 D( Y2 B( l$ ^5.39.217.765.39.217.76; r& [# x- N6 M8 q- N! G
Earlier, the Paralympic Flame was greeted by large crowds as it made its way past some of the most famous landmarks in the capital.tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb, R$ N1 O" Y) F/ Z
g2 b) O& U# L( Otvb now,tvbnow,bttvbFive torchbearers arrived at the zebra crossing outside Abbey Road recording studios to recreate the pose made famous by The Beatles.
; ^ [# d$ m$ U5.39.217.76
6 D W/ V5 q5 w0 N( n: w2 ?6 [5.39.217.76 3 h3 G4 w6 l7 N; q4 Q5 C
Ready to party: Spectators make their way into the Olympic stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the London Paralympic Games 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb; f( a+ c" J* H' b" P. |0 u
3 m0 y* h3 _: d6 ?
5 a8 y7 {2 d& g1 d) s; \* d7 ]
Spectacular: The opening ceremony, signalling the start of 11 days of competition by nearly 4,300 athletes from 166 countries, will be opened with a flypast by Aerobility, a charity that trains disabled people to become pilots
5 g% t/ N K, Y' n X6 WTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。% r' g1 _- B" |% b

; _6 V/ S2 C4 {) u& fExpectation: Spectators, including physiotherapists from the National Spinal Injuries Centre prepare to enter the Olympic Stadium for the Opening CeremonyTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。9 g8 W1 s. r0 P9 W( K
tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb! \3 p0 T# b0 g! h
The torch also visited London Zoo, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall on its journey to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.+ N2 }- i j" f2 t5 c
- ?" [2 p: y" @& k6 @5.39.217.76Demand for tickets to the Games is still high and 10,000 will be put on sale each day during the event.
: c7 H Y& K/ f5 d9 c( \" btvb now,tvbnow,bttvb
( o! O4 u; {" O8 ~; a2 K" |tvb now,tvbnow,bttvbLondon 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said: 'We've tried to get as many people in as we reasonably can. This is a wonderful illustration of how the British public have said we love the Paralympics and want to be part of it.'
5 k; g* k1 a' w+ M# `$ q% H5.39.217.769 a: H, a. P& g
Prime Minister David Cameron said of the Games: 'They will create new role models, they will change attitudes to disability and they will have a positive impact on society.'
2 f# O8 _, X ^$ s1 Q6 Y: z( }TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。
) w# G2 R* ^/ v7 f' B7 K. ZCulture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: 'For many Brits, this will be the first time they have seen the Paralympic Games at all. It will be a very big moment to really change perceptions and that will be something to be proud of.'
- c/ K9 n0 d( t8 R& n* Qtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb
& W5 [4 h4 N- C* c1 R* @Paralympic athletes will compete for 503 gold medals across 20 sports during the London Games, with competitions starting tomorrow.公仔箱論壇3 ^7 ~3 M/ m' S, ?- O1 \
z- [8 ~3 Z/ L3 M: m, PTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。Co-artistic director Bradley Hemmings said: 'Our talks with Stephen Hawking began towards the end of last year.
+ w' \+ X7 x# V8 ~8 H- \- D! t) D, S6 C K- |. E4 S
'We worked very closely with Professor Hawking to develop a series of messages which are very much integrated into the storytelling of the ceremony. We have spent time with him in Cambridge and have been so incredibly gratified with him giving his time.5.39.217.76/ E! m# G# U: [7 ?; U# o1 c
8 M/ m- [, M) R- rTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。'Everybody knows about Professor Hawking and his extraordinary theoretical work and writings about science which have made very complex ideas accessible to all of us, but what came through in our meetings with him was the humanity and the humour of him. He is a fun guy.'
4 O9 g! C5 n: H7 T, S: }/ t# X$ ^TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。" J O4 z+ f5 B, P
TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。5 q1 y+ A/ F) H4 q4 y: h# P' f
London 2012 Part Two: The Paralympic opening ceremony signals the start of 11 days of competition by nearly 4,300 athletes from 166 countriestvb now,tvbnow,bttvb9 m3 P' H6 i( f" W5 l% t! |
+ V* |" @( b& l7 N5 s$ H9 b V, R
Co-artistic director Jenny Sealey added: 'Tonight you will be taken on the most exquisite journey of discovery inspired by the wonder of science. It is about the wonder of science and it is Stephen Hawking who guides us.5.39.217.76# @0 X0 D, J/ V A. t! N$ P$ F1 l
公仔箱論壇 E7 ^ w" x5 U' e* o
'Both Hawking and McKellen in their narrative talk about what we all need to remember; don’t just look down at your feet, look at the stars, be curious.'TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。/ X, y1 [& T: _% l7 [) M: U
The show, called Enlightenment, which featureswill later urge the 62,000-strong crowd to take part in the world's largest 'apple crunch' as each spectator is given an apple to bite at the same time.tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb) N6 N0 {0 v# w6 d* x! Y
5.39.217.761 L! J1 b9 [) H) r# A& c7 ]
The opening ceremony, signalling the start of 11 days of competition by nearly 4,300 athletes from 166 countries, will be opened with a flypast by Aerobility, a charity that trains disabled people to become pilots.TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。- J' d3 W3 M* Z0 s" r0 a J
) o2 Q+ ?' I7 p- W0 O8 ^" `# c; Etvb now,tvbnow,bttvbThe cast also includes past Paralympians and injured soldiers. More than 3,000 adult volunteers are taking part in the ceremony, along with more than 100 children and a professional cast of 100.
- `2 s) k7 w2 G5 ^6 Q
% n& ]% F6 K' ] q: N, JTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。With huge demand for tickets, the Paralympics are, like the Olympics, expected to be one of the most successful Games ever.
1 q, q d# u" o6 o( a8 Ptvb now,tvbnow,bttvbtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb3 C$ L8 I7 U3 W7 d, Y! W; G, K
More than 2.4 million tickets have already been sold - half a million of those to overseas visitors. Ten thousand tickets will be available each day during the event and the Games are on course to be the first Paralympics to sell out.
- a- ?$ x9 p- ^5 KTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。8 M& L9 G- w- y5 Q
London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said: 'We've tried to get as many people in as we reasonably can.
8 g* y5 \* C* _4 P' \2 Z, G" rTVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。* [; g0 L; c3 k6 P3 e4 d
'This is a wonderful illustration of how the British public have said we love the Paralympics and want to be part of it.'5.39.217.76$ u! M [" X# d5 k
TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。( E8 D) {9 {) w& S5 Y- e
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: 'For many Brits, this will be the first time they have seen the Paralympic Games at all.
1 F1 B5 X0 @/ x% j! i7 j
% C+ z+ b* H+ W0 z" S! U% Ltvb now,tvbnow,bttvb'It will be a very big moment to really change perceptions and that will be something to be proud of.'
' k3 b" v a+ ?6 T9 |- {tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb3 M+ N: R7 t# a8 J; I. ]1 f
|