The Tokyo Paralympics ended on Sunday with a spectacular closing ceremony as China finished the Games top of the medals table by a huge distance.
The Paralympics has been held without fans and under strict coronavirus protocols, just like the Olympics in the Japanese capital in July and August.
China racked up 96 gold and 207 medals in total, followed by Great Britain with 41 gold and 124 medals in total.
The U.S were third with 37 gold and 104 medals in total, ahead of the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) with 36 and 118.
Russia was not allowed to compete as a nation due to doping-related sanctions, and the Russian para-athletes who had no doping offences were allowed to compete under the RPC flag.
China, which next hosts the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in February and March next year in Beijing, lost out to the U.S in the medals table at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Paralympics closing ceremony at the National Stadium in Tokyo had fireworks, video montages, light shows and modern music.
Japanese Crown Prince Akishino was in attendance.
The athletes’ parade included the two Afghan Paralympians who managed to reach Tokyo late after fleeing the Taliban takeover of their country.
Otherwise, only select members of teams were allowed at the ceremony due to COVID-19 rules.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons later handed over the Paralympic flag to the Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo ahead of the 2024 Summer Games in the French capital.
A crowd in Paris then partied beneath the Eiffel Tower while Parsons and Games chief Seiko Hashimoto delivered final addresses in Tokyo.
“It’s been wonderful to see each venue full of smiles,” Hashimoto said, adding that the difficulties holding the event during the pandemic made it extra special.
“I’m very proud of this wonderful (organising) team. Thank you very much.
“I’m so glad we hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I believe in the value they bring.”
Parsons declared the Games over, adding: “What a journey, what sport, what a Games. Together against the odds we did it.
“To the people of Japan, you made this possible,” he said before the Paralympic flame was extinguished.
