To mark the start of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games next Wednesday, James Corden has delivered an ode like no other.

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In a film made by Channel 4, Corden recites a poem exploring the historical roots of the Paralympic Games and remembering London 2012, all while building anticipation for the Games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEcoBMwcscw

The film harks back to 1948, to “the pioneers, the Para-neers, on a hospital lawn”, when the Games began as a rehabilitation programme for British war veterans with spinal injuries at Stoke Mandeville.

It also reflects on the British Paralympic team’s performance in London 2012, from Ellie Simmonds’ tears when she won gold to David Weir’s cycling triumph. It is, in essence, a celebration of “the brilliance of resilience”.

The film sums up everything the games are about – victory, struggle, emotion, euphoria – and in the words of James Corden, “Paras, the stage is yours.”

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The Paralympic Games begins on Channel 4 at 9pm on 7 September

Authors

Ellie HarrisonWriter, RadioTimes.com

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An image depicting a festive scene with iconic Christmas elements such as a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with twinkling lights, snow gently falling, and perhaps a cozy fireplace in the background. The image should capture the essence of popular Christmas songs, with musical notes and lyrics subtly included in the design, representing a playlist of classic Christmas tunes.

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Immediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live eventsImmediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live eventsImmediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live events

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