:00:12. > :00:20.Good afternoon, everyone, Martin here, coming to you live
:00:21. > :00:23.from the Maracana stadium in Brazil as the city of Rio de
:00:24. > :00:25.Janeiro prepares to host the 2016 Paralympic Games.
:00:26. > :00:28.In just a few hours' time the opening ceremony will take place
:00:29. > :00:45.It is a beautiful day for it. The sun is shining and thousands of
:00:46. > :00:50.people will come into the stadium to kick the games with some of the
:00:51. > :00:54.world's greatest Paralympic out fleets, who will be performing. The
:00:55. > :00:55.atmosphere is really building. -- athletes.
:00:56. > :00:58.Now there have been a few issues in the build up
:00:59. > :01:00.to these Paralympics, such as a money crisis and not
:01:01. > :01:04.But officials are confident the games here will be a success.
:01:05. > :01:07.But I wanted to find out how some of the local kids here felt
:01:08. > :01:22.about this huge event coming to their city.
:01:23. > :01:31.I couldn't come all the way to Rio and not hold an Olympic Torch, could
:01:32. > :01:35.I? I am not the only one. Hundreds of kids out of school for blind
:01:36. > :01:42.children in the city has been given the chance to get up close to the
:01:43. > :01:47.Paralympic torch. It has four sides which represent the Paralympic
:01:48. > :01:53.values, courage, determination, inspiration and equality. What do
:01:54. > :02:06.these guys think? It is beautiful. Beautiful, very pretty. It is the
:02:07. > :02:14.prettiest torch. It is really cool. It is really easy to touch and easy
:02:15. > :02:19.to read. It is very interesting. This is one of the torch was my last
:02:20. > :02:23.stops on its week-long tour of Brazil. Even though some people were
:02:24. > :02:26.worried that the real Paris -- Rio Paralympics would be a success,
:02:27. > :02:34.people here can't wait for the games to start. I am very excited. It is
:02:35. > :02:40.very interesting and important, the Paralympic games. I am going to
:02:41. > :02:47.watch the swimming. I love football. I am looking forward to judo. That
:02:48. > :02:50.is it. The torch will now make its way to the Maracana Stadium for the
:02:51. > :02:54.opening ceremony and it is clear that people here in Rio are getting
:02:55. > :02:56.pretty excited about the Paralympic games.
:02:57. > :03:00.So in a few hours' time that torch you just saw there will be entering
:03:01. > :03:02.this stadium behind me, and will officially open the Rio
:03:03. > :03:05.All the teams will parade through the Maracana
:03:06. > :03:10.stadium and it will be GB equestrian rider Lee Pearson,
:03:11. > :03:13.who has won ten Paralympic gold medals who will carry
:03:14. > :03:24.He was delighted and honoured to be picked by his team mates.
:03:25. > :03:32.It is the biggest honour in the whole of the world. To carry the
:03:33. > :03:36.flag, it would be an honour, but to be voted by my fellow Paralympics GB
:03:37. > :03:39.athletes is surreal. I hope I don't let them down or trip over or
:03:40. > :03:41.rollover or drop the flag or anything like that.
:03:42. > :03:43.but there's load of support for our Paralympians back the UK.
:03:44. > :03:46.There's plenty of friends, family and fans here in Rio
:03:47. > :03:48.but there's load of support for our Paralympians back the UK.
:03:49. > :03:51.Today the Prime Minister Theresa May made a special video message
:03:52. > :03:53.for the Paralympics GB, telling them the whole
:03:54. > :04:03.I know that again you will make our nation proud, delivering sporting
:04:04. > :04:08.success for Britain and inspiring generations around the world, so I
:04:09. > :04:11.want to wish all of our Paralympic athletes every success.
:04:12. > :04:14.Well, tonight is the opening ceremony, so what should we expect?
:04:15. > :04:17.Well, guys, a lot of the details are being kept secret,
:04:18. > :04:20.but there are a few clues I can reveal right now.
:04:21. > :04:23.Get ready to see two blind ballet dancers and a wheelchair jump
:04:24. > :04:34.Don't expect me to be the one doing it!
:04:35. > :04:36.Don't forget you can head to Newsround online
:04:37. > :04:39.to read our quick guide to every Paralympic sport, and check out
:04:40. > :04:43.We also want to know what you are most looking forward
:04:44. > :04:55.That's all from me, Newsround's back right here in the morning
:04:56. > :05:01.with all the glitz and glamour from the Paralympic Opening ceremony.