Paris Paralympics 2024 ended

A summer sporting bonanza that started under pouring rain on July 26 with a remarkable opening ceremony on the Seine River ended with the Paralympics closing ceremony at a rain-soaked Stade de France. 

It lowered the curtain on successful back-to-back events that captivated fans and raised the bar high for others to follow. Good luck Los Angeles in 2028.

As the stadium was lit up in the blue, white and red colors of the French national flag, a trumpet player played the national anthem “La Marseillaise” and Paralympic flag bearers then made their way into the stadium carrying national flags to the sound of “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis.

“Everyone can see what an inclusive world is like,” Tony Estanguet, the head of the Paris Olympics in 2024, said in his closing speech. “Now there is no turning back.”

The International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said France excelled itself as a host in both Games.

“Paris 2024 has set a benchmark for all future Paralympic Games,” Parsons said. “For a country famous for its fashion and its food, France is now famous for its fans.”

In another portion of the screened handoff to LA, Venice Beach Skate Park transformed into a 360-degree stage featuring skateboarders and wheelchair motocross riders.

A surge of enthusiasm saw 2.4 million tickets of the 2.8 million tickets sold – second only to the 2.7 million sold at the 2012 London Games – and this was some feat considering that by late June only 1 million had been sold.

The 2024 Paris Paralympics are over and - for the sixth consecutive time - China finished top of the gold medal table, a sporting feat which began in 2004 in Athens.

The team broke 29 world records, succeeding in several disciplines including swimming, athletics and table tennis.

Great Britain ranked second with 49 gold medals - 45 short of the leaders.

France tallied 16 golds among its 64 medals to finish fifth overall in the medal count.