(CNN)Just over two weeks ago, when the Olympics drew to a close, there were concerns the Paralympic Games would even go ahead at all.
Whether it was a lack of ticket sales, the closing of venues or several teams lacking the funding to send athletes to Rio, it seemed there were no end of obstacles standing in the way of organizers.
"Never before in the 56-year history of the Paralympic Games have we faced circumstances like this," International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven told reporters at the time.
However, as the first fireworks exploded and then disappeared into the sky above Brazil"s iconic Maracana stadium, those worries became a distant memory.
No Olympic hangover
If there were any concerns Rio would struggle to regain the high experienced during the Olympics, they were quickly dispelled as Aaron Fotheringham -- otherwise known as Aaron Wheelz -- drew rapturous cheers from the crowd as he back-flipped through the air.
Aside from those two sour moments, the opening ceremony dazzled and carried important messages of equality and inclusion throughout.
As the popular song with the lyrics "the party"s only just beginning" played out over the Maracana sound system, it served as a reminder of the 11 days of incredible sport that lie ahead.
Read more: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/07/sport/paralympics-opening-ceremony-rio-2016-5-things/index.html">http://edition.cnn.com/</a>
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