Paralympics opening ceremony: torch-bearer shows "true spirit" of games after falling in rain and getting straight back up

Tom Powell8 September 2016

A Paralympic torch-bearer got the games off to a heroic start after falling and getting straight back up again at the opening ceremony.

Brazilian Marcia Malsa slipped and fell on the rain-soaked floor shortly after receiving the torch in the packed-out Maracana Stadium last night.

But Ms Masla, who won 200m gold in New York 1984, quickly rose to her feet again and continued to the rapturous applause of tens of thousands in the stadium.

The official Paralympics Twitter account posted a video of the incident and the deafening roar of the crowd, accompanied by the caption: “Never give up!”

It was a defining moment in an opening ceremony that had viewers in raptures in the stadium and at home on social media.

Many claimed it showed the “true spirit” of the Paralympics, which begins today with athletics and cycling among other events and continues until September 18.

#MarciaMalsa was trending during the ceremony, with one user, named Bordalo, writing: “#MArciaMalsa teaching us a great lesson. You fall, you get up, you carry on, you never fear.”

Another, named Lea, added: “When you fall but courageously get back up… that is the true embodiment of a Paralympian. Nothng can stop you.”

The build-up to the Paralympic games has been marred by fears of empty stadiums, a drugs ban to the entire Russian team, as well as claims that the athletes’ classification system is being manipulated.

However, stadiums now look set to be louder and busier than they were for last month’s Olympics, thanks to a surge in ticket sales. Some 1.6 million of the 2.5 million have been sold.

The extravagant opening ceremony was built around the central theme of the “heart knowing no limit” and included a spectacular stunt that saw athlete Aaron Wheelz jump down a 55ft ramp in his wheelchair.

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