Sport

Female Athlete in Ihram Clothing, Flag-Bearer of Iran’s Paralympics Team

Iran’s team arrived at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Paralympics at the Maracana stadium on Wednesday, with Eshrat Kordestani, the female Iranian sitting volleyball player, bearing the team’s flag in the white clothing of Hajj pilgrimage.

Iran’s Paralympics team, which is named after the victims of the deadly Mina stampede, attended the opening ceremony, as reported by Fars and translated by IFP.

It was in this festive spirit that Iran’s 111 athletes made their debut, led by Kordestani in the white Ihram clothing.

Each delegation, including independent Paralympic athletes, marched out with a puzzle piece, one side representing the country and the other with images of participating Paralympic athletes. As nations entered the stadium and the 1,160 puzzle pieces were assembled, they took the shape of a human heart.

With a heart beating in the centre of the stadium, one was reminded of the core concept of the ceremony: “The heart knows no limits. Everybody has a heart.”

President of the Organizing Committee for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Carlos Arthur Nuzman and International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven delivered speeches before acting President of the Republic of Brazil Michel Temer declared the Games open, Tasnim repored.

The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Paralympic cauldron by Brazilian Paralympic swimmer Clodoaldo Silva. A wheelchair user, Silva faced a flight of stairs between himself and the cauldron. The stairs transformed into ramps, allowing Silva to light the flame and prove – in a fitting message preceding 11 days of competition – that anything is possible.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

White House says Iran talks positive, constructive

The White House called Saturday's negotiations between US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy and…

9 minutes ago

Iran says talks with US held in constructive atmosphere, negotiations to continue next week

Iran says the first round of nuclear talks with the US was held in a…

15 hours ago

At least 500 children killed since Israel broke Gaza ceasefire: Palestinian official

At least 500 Palestinian children have been killed by sustained Israeli air raids and bombardments…

15 hours ago

Syrian new president affirms commitment to dialogue, diplomacy

Syrian new President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has reaffirmed Damascuss strong commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as…

16 hours ago

Iran-US negotiations get underway in Oman

Indirect talks between Iranian and US delegations, brokered by Oman, kicked off in the Omani…

16 hours ago

Vibrant spring tulips bloom in Tehran’s Iranian Garden

The Iranian Garden in Tehran is now adorned with colorful spring tulips, creating a stunning…

16 hours ago