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Paralympics open at Bird's Nest

The opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics, the largest sports gathering for the disabled, started at 8 pm Saturday in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest.

Opening just two weeks after the Beijing Olympics ended, the largest-ever Paralympics are expected to be staged in a way that it will be remembered as an equal splendor as the Beijing Olympic Games.

At least 4,000 athletes from more than 140 countries and regions will participate in the September 6-17 Games, competing in 472 events of 20 sports. Athletes will use many of the same Olympic venues.
(**2008-09-06)