PARIS: Eleven days of world-class sporting competition that enthralled and inspired was capped with a dazzling Paralympic closing ceremony at the Stade de France on Monday morning (AEST).
A bright and loud ceremony at the venue that staged the athletics competition played host to traditions such as the handover of the Paralympic flag, which saw Paris 2024 welcome Los Angeles 2028 as the next host, and the extinguishing of the flame that lit up the cauldron during the Games.
The tradition of the athletes’ parade saw 169 delegations, including the 168 national Paralympic committees and the refugee team, soak up the buzzing atmosphere.
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The 160-strong Australian Paralympic team was led by Lauren Parker, the triathlete and road cyclist, and track sprinter James Turner, both of whom won two gold medals in the French capital.
There was also the wholesome moment French musician André Feydy, a trumpeter with a deficiency of his right arm, blasted away on his trumpet as the French flag was raised to the sound of the country’s national anthem, The Marseillaise.
And in keeping theme with the lively Paris nightlife, a rolling cast of 24 French electronic musicians had the Stade de France heaving.
Once the formalities were complete, the Stade de France transformed into a full-blown nightclub.
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It was a fitting way to celebrate 11 days of competition packed with remarkable moments such as Australian swimming sensation Alexa Leary’s heroic anchor leg at the Paris La Defense Arena.
Three years after a hellish bike accident saw her parents say goodbye to her on eight occasions as she struggled in hospital, “Lex” dived in 6.28 seconds behind the leading anchor swimmer, swam over the top of all three athletes in front of her, and touched the wall almost a full second ahead of her closest competitor.
In another breathtaking swim two days later, the 23-year-old from the Sunshine Coast won individual gold, storming to victory in a record-breaking 100m freestyle domination.
Sheetal Devi, the 17-year-old Indian archer with no arms, wowed millions when she hit a perfect bullseye holding her bow with her right foot.
And there were mind-spinning moments at the track, the site of the closing ceremony, such as Wagner Astacio of the Dominican Republic clearing 1.85 metres in the high jump despite missing most of his left leg.
Sheetal Devi of India. Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Wagner Astacio of the Dominican Republic. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
“So there you have it,” said Australian Paralympic icon Dylan Alcott in a Nine colour package celebrating the Paris Games.
“Eleven days of wonder, where people with disability have run the world.
“Our mob of talented, passionate people who have made a difference, and a contribution to society and to each other through sport.”