Winter Paralympics officially begin with opening ceremony

Para nordic star Brian McKeever enthusiastically led Canada into PyeongchangOlympic Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in South Korea.

It wasMcKeever's first time participating in the opening ceremony. Although heowns 10 gold medalsand13 overallfrom four Paralympics, heusually competes on the first day of the Games.

The ceremony, which featuredadizzying array of lights and pyrotechnics along withelaborate drumming displays andK-pop-inspiredperformances, culminated in the lighting of the Paralympic cauldron.

The North and South Korean contingents didn't march together in the parade of nations like their Olympic counterparts, but representatives from both countries carried in the torch.

2018 Paralympic cauldron is lit

7 years ago

Duration 11:37

Watch as the cauldron is lit, to open the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games

McKeever, sporting Team Canada gear and a wide smile, walked into the stadium with 54 other Canadian athletes the country's largest-ever WinterParalympicscontingent along with coaches and support staff.

"I'm so thrilled to see Brian chosen as our flag-bearer," said CBCcommentator Stephanie Dixon, a 19-time Paralympic medallist.

"He is an incredible leader and role model for all of our Canadian athletes, and as he's heading towards the end of his career, this is just an incredible, incredible opportunity for Brian to reflect upon his career," she said about the 38-year-old.

Canada has won 135 Winter Paralympics medals, including 43 gold,since the inaugural Games in Sweden in 1976. The 2018 opening ceremony will air again at 7 p.m. ET today on CBCSports.ca, and on CBCTelevision at 8 p.m.

Paralympics 'stronger than ever'

In his opening remarks, IPC president Andrew Parsons spoke about the growth of the Games and their impact on lives around the world.

"Seventy years ago this year, Sir Ludwig Guttmann gave hope to millions with his vision of creating opportunities for people with an impairment through sport," Parsons said, referring to the doctor considered the founder of the Paralympic movement.

IPC President Andrew Parsons' 2018 Paralympics opening ceremony speech

7 years ago

Duration 6:00

Watch International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons' speech to open the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games

Guttmann, a Jewish neurologistwho fled to Great Britain from Nazi Germany, used sport as part of his work rehabilitatinginjured World War II veterans; he organizedthe Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948, which served as a precursor to the Paralympics.

"Today, his dream is stronger than ever. Paralympic sport not only changes lives, but also changes the world," Parsons said.

Coverage on all platforms

CBC and Radio-Canada will offer more than 600 hours of coverage of the ParalympicsGames.

Broadcasts, which run today through March 18, will be available daily on CBC and Radio-Canada with live streams hosted on the CBC Sports app.

• Download CBC Sports app on iOS
• Download CBC Sports app on Android

An additional 300 hours of live streams, across all six sports alpine skiing, para ice hockey, cross-country skiing, biathlon, para snowboarding and wheelchair curling will be available on theCBCsiteand the CBC Sports app.

Described video will be offered on all ofCBC'sbroadcasts and online streams of the same coverage.