The 2016 Paralympic Games kick off tonight with the Opening ceremony at Rio de Janeiro famous Macarena Stadium. Over the course of 11 days just over four thousand athletes from 179 countries will compete in 23 Paralympic sports. The 528 events starting tomorrow will yield 225 medals for women, 265 for men and 38 mixed medals. South Africa's contingent of 45 athletes will attempt to equal the the number of 29 medals won in London but without three major stars it will be a big challenge. The South African Paralympic team arrived in Rio exactly a week and has settled into the Athletes Village, the same one used for the Olympic Games.