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Paralympic Games begin in Rio de Janeiro

Paralympic Games begin in Rio de Janeiro
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The Paralympic Games begin during a colourful opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.

The 2016 Paralympic Games have formally begun during a colourful opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Acting Brazilian president Michel Temer declared the Games open in a brief statement that was marred by booing from large sections of the home crowd, unhappy with the current government for the country's economic and political crisis.

Six-time Paralympic gold medallist Clodoaldo Silva, a Brazilian swimmer with the nickname 'the Paralympic shark', had the honour of lighting the pyre to mark the beginning of 11 days of competition in 22 sports.

Earlier, some 164 delegations had entered the stadium, including a two-strong refugee team featuring a Syrian swimmer and an Iranian discus thrower.

Great Britain sent along a team of 264 athletes and were led out by equestrian rider Lee Pearson, who has acquired 10 golds from the last four Paralympic Games.

UK Sport have set ParalympicsGB a target of 121 medals in Rio, one more than earned at London 2012, following TeamGB's record overseas haul at the Olympics.

Relive all the action from the opening ceremony as it unfolded with Sports Mole's commentary - live and direct from inside the Maracana - by clicking here.

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Olympic medal table header
CountryGold medalSilver MedalBronze MedalT
ChinaChina21131246
JapanJapan175830
United StatesUnited States16171346
Olympics flagOlympic Athletes from Russia11151137
AustraliaAustralia1031427
Great BritainGreat Britain891128
Today's Olympic highlights header

Sunday's key events


GOLF
· The men's golf reaches its conclusion, with plenty of players still in medal contention. Home favourite Hideki Matsuyama is one shot off Xander Schauffele's lead, while Great Britain's Paul Casey is another shot further back and Tommy Fleetwood is also in the mix (11.30pm-8am)

CYCLING - BMX
· Great Britain have already made history in the BMX events in Tokyo, something Charlotte Worthington and Declan Brooks will be looking to add to in the women's (2.10am) and men's (3.10am) freestyle finals

SWIMMING
· The final day of swimming action begins with the men's 50m freestyle final. Ben Proud could add to a medal-laden Games in the pool for Team GB so far, although he is up against USA's Caeleb Dressel, who is going for his fourth gold in Tokyo (2.30am)
· From sprint to endurance, Great Britain's second medal hope of the day comes through Daniel Jervis in the men's 1500m freestyle final (2.44am)
· Team GB will again be among the heavy favourites for gold in the last swimming event of the Games - the men's 4x100m medley relay final - having won the mixed event in a world record time on Saturday (3.36am)

BOXING
· Already guaranteed at least a bronze, Pat McCormack takes part in the men's welterweight semi-final against Ireland's Aidan Walsh with a spot in the gold medal final at stake (4.03am)
· Ben Whittaker is also in the semi-finals of the men's light heavyweight and will be looking to continue Team GB's success in the ring (4.51am)

TENNIS
· There will be a surprise on the top of the men's tennis podium after Novak Djokovic missed out on a medal altogether. Alexander Zverev takes on Karen Khachanov in the second match on Centre Court at the Ariake Tennis Park (7am-2pm)

SAILING
· Alison Young will be going for gold in the women's laser radial medal race (7.33am)

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS
· Team GB's Max Whitlock will look to defend his 2016 Olympic title in the men's pommel horse final (10.41am)

ATHLETICS
· The men's high jump final includes GB's Tom Gale, although his chances of a medal look bleak (11.10am)
· So often the blue-riband event of the Olympics, the men's 100m final takes place as the world's fastest bid to be crowned Usain Bolt's successor. Three Brits have made it into the semi-finals (11.15am-11.32am), and the final looks wide open after an underwhelming display by favourite Trayvon Bromell on Saturday (1.50pm)

HOCKEY
· Great Britain face India in the men's quarter-final (1pm)

> Today's schedule in full
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