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Paralympics come to dazzling end

The Paralympics flame was extinguished over the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium after a lavish closing ceremony in Beijing yesterday.

A 91,000 sellout in the stadium saw the event formally handed over to London, which will host the next Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.

Countless red maple leaves symbolizing respect for the athletes drifted from the stadium roof to end the 12-day extravaganza, which followed the Olympic Games.

China dominated the medals table with 89 golds and 211 medals overall, enjoying particular success in athletics, swimming and table tennis.

Great Britain, which chased China hard in the early part of the Games, finished with 42 golds and 102 medals.

The US finished in third place on the medals table with 36 golds and 99 medals in total.

The Paralympic Games were lit up by Canadian wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc, South Africa’s Olympic swimmer Natalie du Toit and Australian swimmer Matthew Cowdrey, all of whom won five golds.

Fireworks illuminate the Beijing National Stadium yesterday during the closing ceremony for the 13th Paralympic Games. PHOTO: EPA

South Africa’s sprint sensation Oscar “Blade Runner” Pistorius also grabbed his share of headlines with a track sprint treble that was completed on Tuesday with gold in the 400m.

Du Toit hailed the Paralympics as “amazing,” a sentiment echoed by her compatriot, Pistorius.

The Games have been widely praised for their organization and the huge crowds that turned out to watch about 4,000 athletes from around 150 countries compete.
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