The waiting was over for ParalympicsGB athletes from Loughborough College as the 15th summer Paralympic Games officially got underway last night with the Opening Ceremony at the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Marching athletes from the Great Britain squad joined the colourful and vibrant event while others watched from the Village and Belo Horizonte camp.
Loughborough College student Aaron McKibbin, who is part of the 12-strong table tennis squad, tweeted: “Hope everyone attending the opening ceremony from @ParalympicsGB enjoys. Game day starts tomorrow so has to be an early night for me.”
Fellow College student and sprinter Sophie Hahn was also making it a quiet night: “Tomorrow will be my first race… Can’t believe it’s finally here!”
Loughborough College student and triathlete George Peasgood meanwhile took to twitter to say: “Enjoying our own opening ceremony party as a whole team tonight! Last few days before big one.”
The next eleven days of sporting action in Brazil will see ten ParalympicsGB athletes from Loughborough College compete across seven sports.
Cyclist Sophie Thornhill, Sophie Hahn and George Peasood all make their Paralympics debut while track and field athlete Olivia Breen and Aaron McKibbin and Ross Wilson, also in the table tennis squad, make their second Games appearance. Ellie Simmonds, athlete Libby Clegg, Sam Ingram - who will be competing for the judo squad - and wheelchair tennis player Dave Phillipson all take to the Paralympic stage for the third time.
ParalympicsGB has finished in the top three in the medal table at the last four Paralympic Games and has been set a target of winning 121 medals at Rio 2016.