The London 2012 Paralympic Games were launched Wednesday evening with a splendid opening ceremony led by Professor Stephen Hawking.

Despite the cool weather, the show was watched in the Olympic stadium by some 80 000 spectators and members of the Royal Family, including the Queen.

Hawking, the world's most famous living scientist, urged people to look to the stars for inspiration, to try to understand the universe and to be curious.

The show also featured veteran actor Sir Ian McKellen who flew in an airplane piloted by a disabled woman.

The ceremony's artistic directors Bradley Hemmings and Jenny Sealey are quoted saying that their show was a tribute to human endeavor.

A British marine who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan brought the flame into the stadium, turning it into impressive and touching finale.

After the flame's dramatic entrance, the cauldron was lit by 84-year-old Margaret Maughan, Britain's first gold medalist from the inaugural 1960 Paralympic Games in Rome.

Singer Beverley Knight closed the show with a performance of "I Am What I Am" as fireworks burst across the Olympic Park.

Queen Elizabeth, who was joined by her grandson Prince William, his wife Catherine and other senior royals, declared the Games open.

4 000 athletes from over 165 countries are going to compete in the course of 11 days. 8 of them are from Bulgaria. 2.4 million from a total of 2.5 million tickets have already been sold.

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