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The prosthetic leg of swimmer Elizabeth Stone from the United States is seen as she trains at the Aquatic Centre. Emilio Morenatti/AP/Press Association Images

'Inspirational' Paralympics to open in London tonight

Cyclist Cathal Miller will lead the 49 Irish athletes into the Olympic Stadium for tonight’s sold-out opening ceremony.

MORE THAN 3,000 volunteers will take part in an “Enlightenment” spectacular when the 2012 Paralympic Games is officially opened in London on Wednesday evening.

Before the 11-day programme of competitive action begins on Thursday morning, the Paralympic torch is making its final journey from the spiritual home of disabled sport — Stoke Mandeville — to the British capital.

Queen Elizabeth II is due to formally open the Games in a programme which begins at 8.30pm.

Road and track cyclist Cathal Miller will carry the tricolour and lead Team Ireland into the Olympic Stadium for the sold-out opening ceremony.

Forty-nine Irish athletes, including Beijing double-gold medallist Jason Smyth, will compete across 10 sports in London.

The evening’s showpiece, called “Enlightenment”, has been billed as a “celebration of the inspirational spirit of the Paralympic Games that challenges perceptions of human possibility”.

The British Paralympic Association (BPA) said earlier this year that the ceremony would be “groundbreaking in its inclusivity and innovative staging”, showcasing deaf and disabled artists.

More than 3,000 adults will be among the cast, as well as over 100 children and 100-plus professional performers, while “Aerobility”, a British charity that trains disabled people to become pilots, will perform a fly-past, the BPA said.

The traditional curtain-raiser to the festival of elite disability sport comes as the Games have been hailed as the biggest and most-high profile Paralympics since the inaugural edition in Rome in 1960. Almost 2.5 million tickets have been sold so far, organisers said.

A record 4,200 athletes, including an unprecedented number of women, are due to take part in 20 sports, with the event a near sell-out for the first time and due to be broadcast to millions worldwide.

The sporting action begins on Thursday, with shooting set to provide the first gold of the Games in the women’s 10m standing air rifle.

– Additional reporting by AFP

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    Mute Paul Friday Shannon
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    Mar 17th 2014, 8:39 PM

    Hopefully there’s one of those clauses in David moyses contract too!

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    Mute Sean Barber
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    Mar 17th 2014, 8:44 PM

    Needs to phone Wenger for tips on being the best manager ever. Wenger manages the best team in the world. Great selection of coats too

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Mar 17th 2014, 8:48 PM

    Wondering how long you can keep this rubbish up ?

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    Mar 17th 2014, 9:06 PM

    On behalf of all arsenal fans,please shut up

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Mar 17th 2014, 9:21 PM

    Hes called the village id10t….. Theres always one…

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    Mar 17th 2014, 9:26 PM

    I came in on a wrecking ball

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    Mar 17th 2014, 11:45 PM

    Sean Barber, Dario Gradi won more trophies in less years!!!!!

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    Mar 18th 2014, 1:54 AM

    Brendan Rodgers could be the one to take over if roumers are to be believed.

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    Mute Chris Mansfield
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    Mar 18th 2014, 11:12 AM

    And to think Neymar chose them over PSG and Chelsea because of “managerial stability”.

    This will have them up to 5 in 30 months.

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