The opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics will be rehearsed on Thursday evening.

About 6,000 actors and actresses, some of whom disabled, will stage performances at the ceremony which lasts about two hours and 50 minutes, sources said.

No fireworks display will be held during the rehearsal.

The 13th Paralympics are scheduled to open at 8:00 p.m. Saturday in the National Stadium, known as the "Bird's Nest". Around 4,000 athletes worldwide will compete in 20 events at the Games which run till Sept. 17.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2008)