By Duncan Mackay

Paralympic Flag_arrives_in_Rio_de_Janeiro_September_2012September 12 - The Paralympic Flag has arrived in Rio de Janeiro after the city's Mayor Eduardo Paes collected at the Closing Ceremony of London 2012 on Sunday (September 9). 


It arrived as part of a delegation led by Paes and Carlos Nuzman, President of Rio 2016, along with Sérgio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and Andrew Parsons, President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee. 

They were accompanied by several members of Brazil's successful Paralympic team which finished seventh in the overalls medals table with a total of 43 medals, including 21 gold.

It was their best ever performance at the Games, improving on their ninth place at Beijing four years ago when they won 16 gold medals, and means that they have improved in every Paralympics since Barcelona in 1992. 

Paes received the Flag from International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven during the Closing Ceremony in London, an event that also featured an eight minute presentation from Rio 2016. 

The segment was marked by the presence of Brazilian musicians like Herbert Vianna and Paralamas do Sucesso, Carlinhos Brown, and Thalma de Freitas. 

A number of dance groups were also represented, including two Brazilian dancers that normally dance for the Royal Ballet in London, Roberta Marquez and Thiago Soares.

Eduardo Paes_with_flag_next_to_Boris_Johnson_September_9_2012Rio 2016 Mayor Eduardo Paes receives the Paralympic Flag at the London 2012 Closing Ceremony as London Mayor Boris Johnson looks on

"Twenty eight days after receiving the Olympic Flag, now it is the turn of the Brazilian salute the flag symbol of the Paralympic Movement," said Nuzman.

"The arrival of the Paralympic Flag is a source of inspiration to accomplish games that transform the perception of society towards people with disabilities and the accessibility standards of Rio de Janeiro. "

Besides being flown at Rio's City Palace, the Paralympic Flag will be received by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia later this week.

"Once again it is an honor to get to Rio de Janeiro with the Flag, this time, with the Paralympic," said Paes.

"The Paralympics show the strength and ability that we have to change things.

"We are committed to transforming the city into a city until 2016 accessible."

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