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London 2012 Paralympic Cauldron lit

The Paralympic Cauldron was lit by Credit: Kai Tabacek

Britain's first gold medalist in the 1st Paralympic Games at Rome in 1960 lit the Olympic Cauldron. She was passed the flame by Royal Marine Commando Joe Townsend, who lost both of his legs in an explosion whilst serving in Afghanistan, who descended into the stadium on a zip wire.

Marc Quinn's scupture took centre stage at the final stages of the opening ceremony Credit: Kai Tabacek
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Paralympics Opening Ceremony

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Paralympic Cauldron lit in spectacular style

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Paralympics Opening Ceremony

Celebrities watch Paralympic Opening Ceremony

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Paralympics Opening Ceremony

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Paralympic Games about 'transforming our perception of the world'

Professor Stephen Hawking said the Paralympic Games is about transforming our perception of the world. Speaking at the spectacular Opening Ceremony he said:

The Paralympic Games is about transforming our perception of the world.

We are all different. There is no such thing as a standard or run-of-the-mill human being but we share the same human spirit. What is important is that we have the ability to create. This creativity can take many forms, from physical achievement to theoretical physics. However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.

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Paralympics Opening Ceremony
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