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Paralympic Games 'return home' to UK Paralympic Games 'return home' to UK
(35 minutes later)
The Queen has declared the London 2012 Paralympics officially open, during a spectacular opening ceremony watched by some 80,000 spectators.The Queen has declared the London 2012 Paralympics officially open, during a spectacular opening ceremony watched by some 80,000 spectators.
Britain's first Paralympic Games gold medallist, Margaret Maughan, 84, had the honour of lighting the cauldron.Britain's first Paralympic Games gold medallist, Margaret Maughan, 84, had the honour of lighting the cauldron.
Games chief Lord Coe told the crowd: "Prepare to be inspired, prepare to be dazzled, prepare to be moved."Games chief Lord Coe told the crowd: "Prepare to be inspired, prepare to be dazzled, prepare to be moved."
Earlier, athletes paraded around the Olympic Stadium, with ParalympicsGB entering last to huge cheers.Earlier, athletes paraded around the Olympic Stadium, with ParalympicsGB entering last to huge cheers.
'Games to remember'
The opening ceremony signalled the start of 11 days of competition by 4,200 athletes from 164 countries, including more than 300 athletes from the home nation.The opening ceremony signalled the start of 11 days of competition by 4,200 athletes from 164 countries, including more than 300 athletes from the home nation.
Wheelchair basketball, shooting, swimming and track cycling are among the events to feature on the opening day.
From Stephen Hawking, the Hadron Collider and the Big Bang, to the biggest apple bite, this was a very different opening to that of the Olympics.
It may not have cost as much to put on, but it was just as ambitious.
There were echoes of the Olympics with roles for Shakespeare's Tempest and Tom Heatherwick's cauldron, as well as royals, flags and a parade of elite athletes.
But though the light panels in the crowd created the same spectacular effect as in the Olympic opener, they have now become known as Paralympixels.
At the Olympics opener, the key excerpt from The Tempest was Caliban's tribute to the "Isles of Wonder".
Tonight, it was Miranda's marvelling at "how beauteous mankind is" in her brave new world speech.
This was a ceremony that was more nuanced in its celebration of elite sport. A celebration of diversity. But no less of a celebration for that.
Lord Coe told the crowd at the east London stadium: "It is my great honour to say welcome home to the Paralympic Games."Lord Coe told the crowd at the east London stadium: "It is my great honour to say welcome home to the Paralympic Games."
He said Britain was ready and the crowds in attendance would be "unprecedented", adding: "These will be a Games to remember."He said Britain was ready and the crowds in attendance would be "unprecedented", adding: "These will be a Games to remember."
Eight members of the British under-22 wheelchair basketball team were given the honour of carrying the Paralympic flag into the stadium. It was raised by members of the armed forces, before the Queen declared the Games open.Eight members of the British under-22 wheelchair basketball team were given the honour of carrying the Paralympic flag into the stadium. It was raised by members of the armed forces, before the Queen declared the Games open.
At the close of the ceremony, Royal Marine Commando Joe Townsend - an aspiring Olympic triathlete, who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan - descended on a zip wire into the stadium from the top of the nearby Orbit tower. British swimmer Liz Johnson, a medallist from Beijing 2008, wheelchair rugby judge Richard Allcroft and David Hunter, who is coaching the ParalympicsGB equestrian team, each stepped forward to take the official oaths on behalf of competitors and officials.
He passed the torch to Ms Maughan, who won gold in archery at the Rome 1960 Paralympics. At the close of the ceremony, 24-year-old Royal Marine Commando Joe Townsend - an aspiring Olympic triathlete, who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan - descended on a zip wire into the stadium from the top of the nearby Orbit tower.
He handed the flame to David Clarke, a member of the ParlympicsGB five-a-side football team, who passed the torch to Ms Maughan, who won gold in archery at the 1960 Rome Paralympics.
She lit a tiny flame on the ground, igniting more than 200 copper petals. Long stems then rose towards each other to form a cauldron, signifying unity.She lit a tiny flame on the ground, igniting more than 200 copper petals. Long stems then rose towards each other to form a cauldron, signifying unity.
The ParalympicsGB athletes earlier entered the stadium to David Bowie's Heroes, led by Peter Norfolk, the two-time Paralympic wheelchair tennis champion, who carried the union jack. 'Big bang'
The show, which was opened by Professor Stephen Hawking, featured a flypast by Aerobility, a British charity that trains disabled people to become pilots. The ParalympicsGB athletes earlier entered the stadium to David Bowie's Heroes, led by Peter Norfolk, the two-time Paralympic wheelchair tennis champion, who carried the union jack. He later described it as a "wow moment".
A sphere ignited the "big bang" - something which Prof Hawking, a world-renowned physicist who has motor neurone disease, has written about extensively. Fireworks were then set-off around the stadium. The show started in spectacular fashion with a flypast by Aerobility, a British charity that trains disabled people to become pilots.
'Science and humanity' Professor Hawking and actor Sir Ian McKellen played prominent roles in the ceremony, which also featured a host of deaf and disabled artists, local children and performers newly-trained in circus skills.
Some 3,000 volunteers took part in the show, which organisers entitled Enlightenment and said was "profoundly about science and humanity". A sphere ignited the "big bang" - something which Prof Hawking, a world-renowned physicist who has motor neurone disease, has written about extensively - to kick off the show and fireworks lit up the stadium.
Throughout the ceremony, Prof Hawking acted as a guide to Miranda - a character from William Shakespeare's play The Tempest, who is central to the show - while actor Sir Ian McKellen played Prospero, another character from the play. Some 3,000 volunteers took part in the event, which organisers entitled Enlightenment and said was "profoundly about science and humanity".
Throughout the ceremony, Prof Hawking acted as a guide to Miranda - a character from William Shakespeare's play The Tempest, who was central to the show - while actor Sir Ian McKellen played Prospero, another character from the play.
The Queen was welcomed by Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, before the union jack was carried in by representatives of the armed forces.The Queen was welcomed by Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, before the union jack was carried in by representatives of the armed forces.
It is the first time the monarch has officiated at the openings of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.It is the first time the monarch has officiated at the openings of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Six London-based choirs - including the London Gay Men's Chorus and the Lewisham Choral Society - performed Principia, a specially composed piece by Greenwich-based composer Errollyn Wallen.Six London-based choirs - including the London Gay Men's Chorus and the Lewisham Choral Society - performed Principia, a specially composed piece by Greenwich-based composer Errollyn Wallen.
Teams from all 165 countries paraded into the stadium in a section of the show which was called Spirit in Motion by the directors.Teams from all 165 countries paraded into the stadium in a section of the show which was called Spirit in Motion by the directors.
Music used for the parading athletes was mixed and played by three London-based DJs - DJ Walde, DJ Excalibah and Goldierocks.Music used for the parading athletes was mixed and played by three London-based DJs - DJ Walde, DJ Excalibah and Goldierocks.
The Paralympic torch began its journey in Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of the Paralympic Games, on Tuesday night. The Paralympic torch began its journey in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, the spiritual home of the Paralympic Games, on Tuesday night.
It was carried by 580 torchbearers in total, and after being carried past some of London's most famous landmarks, was used to light a scaled-down version of the Olympic cauldron.It was carried by 580 torchbearers in total, and after being carried past some of London's most famous landmarks, was used to light a scaled-down version of the Olympic cauldron.
UK Sport and the British Paralympic Association have set a minimum target of 103 medals this time from at least 12 sports, including swimming, athletics and rowing. UK Sport and the British Paralympic Association have set a minimum target of 103 medals this time from at least 12 sports, including swimming, athletics and rowing and hopes are high that ParalympicsGB will emulate the success of Team GB.
Hopes are high that ParalympicsGB will emulate the success of Team GB, but one of the UK's most decorated Paralympians has warned the competition for medals is likely to be tougher than ever.
Britain finished second in the medals table at the 2008 Games in Beijing, winning 42 golds, 29 silvers and 31 bronzes. China were top with 211 medals, of which 89 were gold.Britain finished second in the medals table at the 2008 Games in Beijing, winning 42 golds, 29 silvers and 31 bronzes. China were top with 211 medals, of which 89 were gold.
Speaking before the ceremony, Prime Minister David Cameron said he believed the Games were "going to to make the whole country incredibly proud". In a statement released before she opened the Games, the Queen said: "It is with tremendous pride that the people of London and the United Kingdom welcome the world to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
He told Channel 4 News: "The Olympic Games made us proud but I think this will make us prouder still because you are going to see an extraordinary display of sport. "The Games are returning to the country where they first began, more than 60 years ago.
"We can be very proud that more Paralympians are taking part in more sports, in more stadia, watched by more people than at any time in the past. "We look forward to celebrating the uplifting spirit which distinguishes the Paralympic Games from other events, drawing on Britain's unique sporting heritage."
"It's been a sell-out and that is, I think, a great story for our country and it will inspire a lot of people and change people's views about disability and that is absolutely crucial."
Did you go to the opening ceremony? Were you a torch bearer? You can get in touch with us using the form below.Did you go to the opening ceremony? Were you a torch bearer? You can get in touch with us using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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