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Just 19 days after the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, Greece welcomes the world's top disabled athletes

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Angola's lone athlete Pascoal Estefania is the first to enter the Olympic stadium during the countries parade

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Noel Thatcher carries the flag for GB into the stadium - Noel has won golds in distance events at every Games since 1984

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The Brazilian competitors show they are in Athens to have fun as well as compete in the Games

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The Australian team are also in bouyant mood as the excitement builds

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International Olympic Committee president Phil Craven speaks, watched by Athens 2004 president Gianna Angelopoulos

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The 12th Paralympics is officially open and more than 4,000 competitors from 146 countries will take part