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Wednesday, 03 September 2008 |
Paralympic flame is lit at Beijing's Temple of Heaven
 Now that the main Olympic games are over the Paralympics are due to begin and the Paralympic flame has just been lit in a ceremony at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
A nine-day torch relay will take place across China to announce the 13th Paralympic Games.
Jiang Xintian was responsible for lighting the flame out of a special mirror, and then passed it on to 27-year-old Jin Jing, who is a disabled fencer.
Jing then lit a torch held by Liu Qi, who is head of the Beijing Olympic Games organisers.
Liu Qi in turn passed the torch to Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, who then lit a cauldron to begin the torch relay.
International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven is reported to have announced: "This flame will symbolise over the next 10 days the unique sporting spirit portrayed by Paralympic athletes."
Approximately 4,000 disabled international athletes will be taking part in the Paralympics, which are being held from 6-17 September.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 08 September 2008 )
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