RIO DE JANEIRO: Rio de Janeiro opened the Paralympic Games on Wednesday with samba, parading wheelchairs, giant balloons ─ and loud booing of Brazil's newly sworn-in president ─ at a sold-out Maracana stadium.

The extraordinary sight of United States (US) Paralympian Aaron "Wheelz" Fotheringham jumping in his wheelchair from a 55-foot ramp got the crowd on its feet.

Then the joyous rhythms of samba singers and a carnivalesque reproduction of a Rio beach scene got them dancing.

A sultry dance between an industrial robot and Amy Purdy, a US Paralympian and model wearing running blades, provided another eye-catching moment.

Brazil's tensions also flared with thousands in the crowd chanting "Out with Temer!” as newly sworn-in President Michel Temer appeared at the ceremony.

Temer's hurried declaration of "I declare the Games open" was met with a roar of boos.

Blind, missing limbs, or partially paralysed, more than 4,300 of the world's toughest and most competitive disabled paraded ahead of 11 days of contests amidst the energetic festivities of the opening ceremony.

Even a sudden downpour accompanied by thunder could not dampen the cheers greeting the severely disabled torch bearers who closed the show by carrying the Olympic flame to light the cauldron.