Olympics 2008 Features
In photos: 'Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony'
By James Wray Sep 7, 2008, 1:15 GMT
A general view of the interior of the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', after the Paralympic flame (seen in back) is lit, and fireworks go off above, at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Entertainers perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Perfomers dance with bubble-like balloons at the National Stadium, also known as the Birds Nest, during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
A general view of the interior of the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', as fireworks go off above during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Fireworks explode above the Sea if Dvuny at the National Stadium, also known as the Birds Nest, during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Entertainers perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Athletes carry the Paralympic flag during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Entertainers perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Entertainers perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Paralympic torch bearer Zhang Haidong carries the flame during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
The Paralympic flame is lit during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
An entertainer is suspended high in the air by cables, during a performance at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Paralympic athletes from Greece enter the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Paralympic athletes from Iraq attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Paralympic athletes from Iran attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
A combo picture shows the sequence of how the security personnel tackle a woman who ran bare-chested among athletes, during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium, also known as the Birds Nest, Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Paralympic athletes from Iran attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
An unidentified paralympic athlete from Great Britain is the bearer of his national flag at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Paralympic athletes from Greece attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Paralympic athletes from the USA attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
The Paralympic flame burns inside the cauldron as fireworks go off in the background to mark the beginning of the Games at the National Stadium, also known as the Birds Nest, during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
An unidentified paralympic athlete from the Netherlands is the bearer of her national flag at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
The Olympic flame is passed to Chinese athlete Hou Bin (R), who will light up the cauldron, during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games at the National Stadium known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/TAMAS KOVACS HUNGARY OUT
The Olympic flag arrives for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games at the National Stadium known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/TAMAS KOVACS HUNGARY OUT
Paralympic athletes from Germany attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Paralympic athletes from Sweden attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Paralympic athletes from Germany attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Paralympic athletes from Spain attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Paralympic athletes from Brazil attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Entertainers perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Entertainers hold flares during a performance at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
A performer is suspended in the air during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/TAMAS KOVACS HUNGARY OUT
Chinese paramilitary police salute during the raising of the Chinese national flag at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium of China, also known as the 'Bird's Nest', in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers prepare to raise the Chinese National Flag as fireworks light up the night sky at the National Stadium, also known as the Birds Nest, during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Chinese President Hu Jintao (2-L) greets International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven (C-R) at the Great Hall of the People ahead of a welcoming luncheon for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games on in Beijing, China, on 06 September 2008. EPA/GUANG NIU / POOL
A woman shows a ticket imprinted with Braille letters for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, 05 September 2008. The cheapest ticket costs 80 yuan (8.1 Euros), the most expensive costs 2,600 yuans (265 Euros) for the opening and the closing ceremonies. So far 1.66 million tickets for the games have been sold. Paralympics begin on 06 September in the Bird's Nest, the National Stadium in Beijing. EPA/BALAZS BODNAR HUNGARY OUT
Fireworks explodes over the national stadium also know as the 'Bird's Nest' during opening ceremony of the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/OLIVER WEIKEN
Chinese athlete Hou Bin, suspended in the air (bottom) lights up the cauldron, during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games at the National Stadium known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, 06 September 2008. EPA/TAMAS KOVACS HUNGARY OUT
