Spectacular End to Paralympics

The Paralympics were brought to a spectacular end last night as the 80,000 strong crowd inside the Paralympic stadium were entertained by Coldplay, Rihanna and Jay-Z.

The closing ceremony, celebrating ancient British festivals, also made the official handover to 2016 host city Rio de Janeiro.  Named a “festival of flame” it brought together over 1,200 performers on three themed stages – Summer, Winter and the Sundial.

The beginning of the show featured a tribute to the armed forces and military charity, Help for Heroes.  Flagbearers representing 164 nations took part with David Weir and Sarah Storey, who both won four gold medals at the Games, carrying the British flag into the stadium.

Lifting Cloud of Limitation

Highlights also included Paralympians Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock putting out the Paralympic flame with each participating country taking home one of the 200 copper petals that made up the cauldron.

Speaking to the crowd, organising committee chairman Lord Coe said the UK would “never think of sport the same way and we will never think of disability the same way.  The Paralympians have lifted the cloud of limitation.”

He added: “There are some famous words you can find stamped on the bottom of a product.  Words, that when you read them, you know mean high quality, mean skill, mean creativity.  We have stamped those words on the Olympic and Paralympic games of London 2012.

“London 2012.  Made in Britain.”

China finished top of the medals table, with 231 medals.  Second place went to Russia with Great Britain finishing third, amassing a total of 120 medals.