Full Video: 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony

A spectacular Opening Ceremony marked the opening of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which will see 4,280 athletes from 166 countries competing, including Bermuda’s own Jessica Lewis.

The 19-year-old will represent the island in the 100m, 200m and 400m, marking the first time Bermuda has had a track and field athlete qualify to compete at Paralympic level.

Queen Elizabeth formally opened the Paralympic Games just as she did the Olympic Games. The ceremony featured 42 disabled performers including British military veterans who performed on aerial harnesses with umbrellas and props.

The 4-hour video of the Opening Ceremony is below, Bermuda comes in at the 41 min mark:

Dancer David Toole, who was born without legs, thrilled the audience by dancing on his hands before flying around the stadium on a wire performing an aerial ballet, and a 24-year-old soldier who lost both legs in Afghanistan carried the Paralympic Torch into the stadium harnessed on a zipwire.

The night also included musical performances, the Parade of Nations and much more. You can watch a quick video of just the Bermuda team entering the stadium here, and view photos of the Opening Ceremony here and here.

Jessica Lewis is set to see action this weekend, when she will contest the T53 100m.

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