The waiting is over as the 15th summer Paralympic Games officially got underway following the Opening Ceremony at the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro last night.
Mr Michel Temer, the acting President of the Republic of Brazil, officially opened the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games during a colourful and vibrant ceremony demonstrating the very best of Brazilian sport and culture.
An estimated 4,350 athletes from more than 160 countries are set to compete in 528 medal events across 22 sports over the next 11 days of sporting action.
ParalympicsGB have a 264-strong team with 26 welsh athletes competing, making up a significant 10% of the Great Britain representation.
Gemma Collis, wheelchair fencing, category A women’s epee attended the opening ceremony said: “It was amazing coming out, it’s great to see how into the Paralympic Games the people of Brazil have got.
“Everybody has been going crazy, even people outside the stadium who didn’t have tickets were shouting for ParalympicsGB which was really nice. Hopefully it’s going to be a great Games.”
Day one of Rio 2016 sees welsh athletes in action:
1.30pm Clare Griffiths (Wheelchair Basketball) GBR vs Canada
2.58pm Aaron Moores (Swimming-Mens 100m Backstroke S14 heats)
3.45pm Phil Pratt (Wheelchair Basketball) GBR vs Algeria
4.00pm Owen Burke (Shooting-R1 Mens 10m Air Rifle Standing)
6.30pm Owen Burke (Shooting-Final Mens 10m Air Rifle Standing)
8.00pm Rob Davies (Table Tennis- Men Class 1, Qualifying)
9.47pm Kyron Duke (Athletics- F41 Shot Put Final)
10.00pm Sara Head (Table Tennis- Women Class 3, Qualifying)
12.05am Olivia Breen (Athletics – T38 100m Round 1)
