The 13th Paralympic Winter Games is underway following a spectacular Opening Ceremony at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing.
Picture by 2022 Getty Images
The Paralympic cauldron has been lit to signal the start of the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
During a stunning opening ceremony in the heart of the Chinese capital, hundreds of athletes from around the world gathered to share in a festival of snow and ice as fireworks lit up the night sky.
After forming the shape and colours of the Paralympic Agitos, the pyrotechnic display then turned purple in a nod to WeThe15, a global campaign aimed at increasing the visibility, inclusion and accessibility of the world’s 1.2 billion people with disabilities.
These individuals account for 15% of the global population and following an appeal to the world to commit to change, impaired and unimpaired performers acted some of the precious moments of life side-by-side – from a girl with a visual impairment lighting a red lantern, to a family chasing their dreams and an elderly man dancing with a young boy.
These volunteers are from all walks of life and were seen coming together, supporting each other, with the expression of their emotions bringing warmth to the world despite the prevailing wind.