THE PARALYMPICS WERE officially launched last night with a fantastical opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium.
Here are 11 incredible images captured by press photographers:
1. Double amputee Joe Townsend ziplines into the stadium with the Olympic torch
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2. Stephen Hawking addresses the crowd
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3. Flying wheelchairs
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4. Did somebody say ‘flying wheelchairs’?
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5. Team Ireland’s arrival
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6. Queen Elizabeth wearing bright red earplugs
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7. Queen Elizabeth wearing bright red earplugs right after something annoying has happened
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8. Ian McKellen in a purple spangly robe
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9. Did you feel rain? I think I felt rain.
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10. This.
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11. And this.
All images: Press Association
