London Paralympics "Greatest Games Ever"

(ATR) International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven calls London 2012 "the greatest Paralympic Games ever."

"The Paralympic spirit which saw its first sparks of life in StokeMandeville some 64 years ago has followed a super-charged and surrealexistence over the last 12 days," Craven proclaimed.

"This hasmade the London 2012 Paralympic Games unique and without doubt, in mymind and those of the athletes – the greatest Paralympic Games ever."

"Icall on you all gathered here and watching around the world to takethis unique sporting spirit to all four corners of planet earth whereyou will make new friends, have fun and inspire them to light the flamein their hearts."

London bid farewell to the Games in style with music, fire and emotion all packed in the Olympic Stadium on a warm Sunday evening.

The closing ceremony of the Paralympics, featured a cast of over a thousand, including superstar performers Coldplay headlining and Jay-Z and Rihanna.

LOCOG chair Sebatian Coe paid tribute to all of London saying: "Together these past few weeks we’ve shared some wonderful days haven't we?

"Incredible people have performed feats we hardly thought possible.

"In this country we will 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.

"There are some famous words you can find stamped on the bottom of a product. Words, that when you read them,you know they 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."

The ‘Festival of the Flame", as the ceremony was called, celebrated the flame's final extinguishing, and the culture of people gathering through festivals, paying tribute to several British festivals.

British band Coldplay led the celebration through the four seasons with a soundtrack of their biggest hits.

They began in Autumn with hand-held flames around the centre stage and an aerial ballet. Then we went through Winter and Spring complete with Snow Queens and 120 school children dressing a giant fish-truck.

Summer brought Rihanna into the event who sang on a swing before the lowering of the Paralympic flag.

Rio 2016 had their time to shine after Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes received the Paralympic flag. Their eight-minute segment called "Joy", included dance-offs by groups comprised of disabled and able-bodied dancers.

The flame was extinguished by two of Great Britain's most memorable medalists--swimmer Ellie Simmonds, and Jonnie Peacock.

With the Paralympic flame, so ended a seven year journey for London beginning in Singapore when Jacques Rogge announced London won the right to host the XXX Olympiad.

Reported by Christian Radnedge.

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