Paralympics: Umbrellas at the ready for starry ceremony
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General view taken during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Park in east London on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Britain's flag bearer Wheelchair tennis veteran Peter Norfolk leads the team into the arena during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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A general view shows the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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British physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking speaks during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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Performers with umbrellas are seen during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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Performers with umbrellas are suspended in the air during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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Members of the British armed forces carry the Union Flag during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A general view shows artists performing during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Members of Belgium's delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Members of Germany's delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth, watched by Prince Edward, opens the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the Olympic Stadium Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Fireworks explode over the stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
General view taken during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Park in east London on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Britain's flag bearer Wheelchair tennis veteran Peter Norfolk leads the team into the arena during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A general view shows the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
British physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking speaks during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
Performers with umbrellas are seen during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
Performers with umbrellas are suspended in the air during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
Members of the British armed forces carry the Union Flag during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
A general view shows artists performing during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Members of Belgium's delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Members of Germany's delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London, on Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth, watched by Prince Edward, opens the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the Olympic Stadium Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Fireworks explode over the stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, Aug 29, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
LONDON (AFP) - The London 2012 Paralympics began on Wednesday with an opening ceremony that looked to the skies, paying tribute to host Britain's achievements in understanding the universe - and its rainy weather.
The packed 80,000-seater Olympic Stadium was filled with colourful, giant umbrellas, while Stephen Hawking, the world's most famous living scientist, urged people to take nothing for granted and to look to the stars for inspiration.
The show began with a spectacular flypast over the stadium as a plane, lit electric blue and trailing golden sparks from its wings, circled overhead, piloted by a war-wounded Afghanistan veteran.
That triggered a countdown to the start of the ceremony which was greeted with huge cheers in the east London venue.
