Photo Special: Colorful, lively ceremony opens Rio Paralympics

Wheelchair tennis player Yui Kamiji waves to the crowd as she leads the Japanese Paralympic team into Maracana Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

Performers in colorfully decorated wheelchairs are seen spread out around a group of musicians during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

The Brazilian flag is raised as the national anthem is played during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

Smiling members of the Japanese Paralympic team are seen during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

Members of the Japanese Paralympic team are seen during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

Performers form the Brazilian flag during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

The Brazilian Paralympic team enters Maracana Stadium to thunderous cheers during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

The Paralympic flag is carried into Maracana Stadium by the refugee Paralympic team during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

Dancers are seen performing during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

A person in a wheelchair is seen soaring off a ramp and through a giant ring during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

People in colorful costumes are seen during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

U.S. Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy is seen dancing with a robot during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

Six-time Paralympic champion swimmer Clodoaldo Silva of Brazil carries the Paralympic torch up a ramp to light the Paralympic flame during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)

Six-time Paralympic champion swimmer Clodoaldo Silva of Brazil holds up the Paralympic torch after lighting the Paralympic flame at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympics at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 7, 2016. (Mainichi)