Paralympic stars join the part as Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay begins

Track star Alan Oliveira and wheelchair tennis player Natália Mayara were amongst the first torchbearers. 04 May 2016
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Alan Oliveira will be out to defend his 200m title at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

Alan Oliveira will be out to defend his 200m title at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

ⒸRio 2016/André Mourã
By Rio 2016

The Torch Relay that began in Brasília on Tuesday (5 May) may have been for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but two of Brazil’s leading Paralympians were among the stars of the party. Alan Fonteles Oliveira and Natália Mayara left their mark on a historic day in Latin America’s biggest country.

Mayara is Brazil’s leading wheelchair tennis player – the reigning singles and doubles Parapan-American Games champion – and she gave an inspirational speech when Rio 2016 took the flame to the United Nations in Geneva last week.

The Paralympic duo joined a host of sporting stars, VIPs and everyday heroes in celebrating the arrival of the Olympic flame in Brazil and the start of the 95-day torch relay.

Oliveira produced one of the most memorable moments of the London 2012 Paralympic Games when he stunned South African favourite Oscar Pistorius to win the T43/44 200m title, and the following year won three golds (100m, 200m and 400m) at the World Championships.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will take place between 7-18 September.

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Sport fans from around the world can now buy their Paralympic tickets for Rio 2016 from authorised ticket resellers (ATRs).

The IPC’s Global ATR is Jet Set Sports, and Rio 2016 tickets and packages can be purchased on the CoSport website.

Residents of Brazil can buy 2016 Paralympics tickets directly from the Rio 2016 website.