大象传媒

The organisers of the had long promised a Games of equal splendour to the Olympics and Saturday's spectacular opening ceremony has set a high benchmark for the rest of the competition.

Drawing on the themes of sky,earth and humans, the production featured dance, music, fireworks that shook the Bird's Nest Stadium, pink trees and the most amazing climax and torch lighting imaginable.

has won high jump gold medals at the last three Paralympics but he needed all of his strength for his role at the climax of the torch relay, propelling himself and his wheelchair up 70 feet into the air to light the torch and signal the start of the Games.

When it comes to potential British medallists at the Beijing Paralympics, it is hard to go beyond swimmer Dave Roberts and wheelchair racer Dave Weir.

Both are at the top of their respective fields and are in China with key roles to play in ParalympicsGB's potential medal haul at the Games.

Roberts, who is at his third Games, has a chance to beat Tanni Grey-Thompson's haul of 11 Paralympic golds while Weir, who is also at his third Games, wants to cement his reputation as the world's top wheelchair racer when he chases five golds.

Roberts' gold tally currently stands at seven while Weir, despite dominating wheelchair racing for the past three years, only has Paralympic silver and bronze from Athens to his name - he seems certain to put that right that over the next 11 days.

If they come close to matching the exploits of they'll be able to put down a proportion of their success to Jaffa Cakes, Yorkshire tea, white vinegar and the .

The Paralympic cycling team are applying the finishing touches to what they hope will be a glorious final chapter for the sport here in Beijing, with a little help from those who set the wheels rolling during the Olympics.

The two squads pedalled side-by-side at the Manchester Velodrome in the build-up to the Games and have been busy swapping intelligence since arriving in China.

Some of it has been predictable, some of it less so.