Dublin: 4 °C

Sunday 16 March, 2025

11 incredible images from the Paralympics opening ceremony

Fireworks? Check. Flying wheelchairs? Check. Queen Elizabeth II wearing red earplugs? Check.

Aug 30th 2012, 10:33 AM 6,909 Views 9 Comments

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

~

2. Stephen Hawking addresses the crowd

~

3. Flying wheelchairs

~

4. Did somebody say ‘flying wheelchairs’?

~

5. Team Ireland’s arrival

~

6. Queen Elizabeth wearing bright red earplugs

~

7. Queen Elizabeth wearing bright red earplugs right after something annoying has happened

~

8. Ian McKellen in a purple spangly robe

~

9. Did you feel rain? I think I felt rain.

~

10. This.

~

11. And this.

All images: Press Association

Pictures and video: The 8 weirdest moments from the Olympics closing ceremony>

VIDEOS: The highlights of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony>

About the author:

About the author

Michael Freeman

@michfreeman

michael@thejournal.ie

See more articles by Michael Freeman

Contribute to this story:

Send a Correction

COMMENTS (9)

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

11 incredible images from the Paralympics opening ceremony

Fireworks? Check. Flying wheelchairs? Check. Queen Elizabeth II wearing red earplugs? Check.