Paralympic moments: The opening ceremony
The Paralympics are under way in Rio de Janeiro. The Games, which bring together athletes with disabilities across a huge array of sports, promise sporting highlights and high emotions.
Spectacular jump
Aaron Fotheringham of the United States wowed everybody in the Maracana Stadium, rolling down a 17-meter-high (66-feet) ramp before jumping through a ring illuminated by fireworks. Without the use of his legs, Fotheringham has learned to do things in a wheelchair that are more commonly done by skateboarders or BMX riders.
A startling moment
Brazilian athlete Marcia Malsa was carrying the Paralympic flame through the Maracana when she dropped the torch before tumbling to the ground. She was quickly helped up by a couple of the workers - to the applause of the spectators. Malsa won Brazil's first-ever gold medal - in the 200-meters - at the 1984 Games.
The flame is lit
The last to carry the torch was 37-year-old Clodoaldo Silva, who had to maneuver his wheelchair up several ramps before lighting the Paralympic flame, much to the delight of the crowd.
Not a popular man
Amid the enthusiasm for the athletes and what they have overcome to achieve greatness, there was a reminder of the political crisis in Brazil. The acting president, Michel Temer, was booed by supporters of the impeached former president, Dilma Rouseff.
Rehm bears the flag for Germany
Flagbearer Markus Rehm led the 155-strong German team into Maracana Stadium. "It is a huge honor for me to lead the team in with the flag," the world-record holder in the long jump said. "This provides additional motivation for the competitions."
Low-key national anthem
Four hundred dancers portrayed the beach as a democratic place, which is accessible to disabled people. The famous pianist Joao Carlos Martins played a low-key interpretation of the Brazilian national anthem, and 330 green, blue and yellow sail cloths and umbrellas were held up to form the country's flag.
Political point
Belarus used the ceremony to demonstrate against the exclusion of Russia from the Games by carrying a large Russian flag - which was subsequently confiscated - into the Maracana. "I can only thank our Belarusian colleagues," Russian Paralympic Committee President Vladimir Lukin told told the Russian news agency TASS. The IPC banned the Russians over allegations of state-sponsored doping.
Dancing with a robot
Amy Purdy, whose legs were both amputated below the knee, performed a dance routine with a robot. The American snowboarder moved perfectly in sync with the robot - or at least as in sync as anybody could have. After all, it was a robot!
Closing fireworks
Around 60,000 spectators watched the closing fireworks. "In a country which has faced major challenges of late, Paralympians will switch your focus from perceived limitations - to a world full of possibility and endless opportunity," the president of the IPC, Sir Philip Craven said during his speech earlier in the opening ceremony.