The 2015 Parapan Am Games Are ON!

The 2015 Parapan Am Games kicked off in Toronto Friday evening with a heartwarming rendition of 'O Canada' by Gabrielle Goulet.

.@gabriellegoulet treats the #OpeningCeremony crowd to a moving rendition of Canada’s national anthem. #TO2015 pic.twitter.com/uqOocOaM5I

— TORONTO 2015 (@TO2015) August 7, 2015

Amazing Parapan Am Games opening ceremonies! Cérémonies d'ouverture incroyables pour les Jeux Parapan Am! pic.twitter.com/HBS90YuQZc

— Patrick Borbey (@patrick_borbey) August 8, 2015

The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, the Huron-Wendat First Nation, the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Métis Nation of Ontario then took stage with a performance about beginnings of Canada.

Flag-bearer Marco Dispaltro led Team Canada into the parade of nations at York University's Athletics Stadium. Canada has 216 athletes competing in the Games between Aug. 7-15.

Huge cheers as guess who marches in @TO2015 Parapan Am Games. Great athletes. Better people! pic.twitter.com/XbFQEUROrE

— Teddy Katz (@katzt) August 7, 2015

Canadians in the audience waved their flags, proudly welcoming the athletes.

Here comes Canada! #Pride #parapanam @TO2015 Go Team Canada! pic.twitter.com/Zo1V0qY0RG

— Lisa Talbot (@LisaTalbot2) August 7, 2015

There are more than 1,600 athletes from 28 countries vying for victory at the games, making it the largest Parapan Am Games in history.

Pan Am CEO Saäd Rafi greeted the roaring crowd, with words of encouragement to the athletes.

“When we see these amazing athletes compete, we see spirit and strength that shows us anything is possible," he said.

Governor General David Johnston was present and had the honour of declaring the Parapan Am Games officially open!

A beautiful ceremony opened the Parapan Am Games! What an honour to officially launch these Games! #TO2015 pic.twitter.com/xZXkXb9c3m

— David Johnston (@GGDavidJohnston) August 8, 2015

The evening continued with a breathtaking display of traditional dances from countries around the world, such as Filipino fan dancing and the Chinese lion dance.

While performances included dancers with different sets of abilities, there was some criticism that they weren't diverse enough.

Watching #ParapanAmGames opening and wondering where differently abled artists were? Diverse, but not inclusive. #TO2015 #DisabilityAware

— Chris Hale (@SeeHaleRun) August 8, 2015

The Parapan Am Games' torch was brought in by activist and athlete Rick Hansen and CBC's Rick Mercer.

Long-time champion of adaptive sport, @RickMercer carries the @TO2015 Parapan Am Games Torch. #PanAmazing #ParaTough pic.twitter.com/th8qMj4t4B

— Matthew Cutler (@matthewcutler) August 8, 2015

A tocha Parapan-Americana está acesa e agora é torcer pelo #BrasilNoParapan ☺ pic.twitter.com/glfg1eiInc

— Brasil 2016 (@Brasil2016) August 8, 2015

The torch was then passed on to Chantal Petitclerc, who lit the Paralympic cauldron. Petitclerc is a five-time Paralympian, and Canada's most decorated Paralympic athlete.

Chantal Petitclerc lights the flame, the Parapan Am games are underway #CBCPARAPANAM http://t.co/GvI7B2Re9G

— CBC Sports (@cbcsports) August 8, 2015

The ceremony wrapped up with crowds dancing to a musical performance by Francesco Yates.

It's on!!! @yorkulions #TO2015 ParaPan Games!!! pic.twitter.com/Ozs1PrjNdF

— Jennifer Myers (@myersyorkad) August 8, 2015

And, of course, there was a dazzling fireworks display.

The TORONTO 2015 #ParapanAmGames are officially open! Who will you be cheering for? #OpeningCeremony #TO2015 pic.twitter.com/KUadSNAOY5

— TORONTO 2015 (@TO2015) August 8, 2015

All the best to the athletes competing!

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