London bids Games farewell
The world's best wheelchair, amputee, blind and visually impaired marathon racers tookpart in central London
LONDON, Sept 9, 2012 (AFP) - The Paralympic flame was extinguished in London on Sunday after the final day of competition at the Games, bringing down the curtain on a summer of elite sport in the British capital.
The world's best wheelchair, amputee, blind and visually impaired marathon racers tookpart in central London, taking the festival of disabled sport to the public, with large crowds inattendance.
In seven-a-side football, Russia were out for revenge over Ukraine in a repeat of the Beijing final four years ago, while Australia were scheduled to take on Canada for “murderball” -- wheelchair rugby -- gold.
With 11 days of sport and the biggest, most high-profile Paralympics in the Games' 52-year history at an end, attention then turned to the closing ceremony.
Organisers have promised that the show, headlined by British band Coldplay, will be a celebratory farewell and look ahead to the next competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016.
“We have taken the flame, being part of and representing the human spirit that brings so much power to these Games, and really focused towards the flame going out. That's our emotion,” said co-artistic director Kim Gavin.
London was awarded the Olympics and Paralympics in 2005 and has had to face doubts notably over the cost of the project, security and whether the city's creaking transport system could cope with a massive influx of visitors.
But organisers have won plaudits for the efficient running of both events, with packed venues and vocal crowds, defying naysayers who predicted chaos and a lack of enthusiasm.
London 2012 chief Sebastian Coe told reporters on Saturday that he always believed the Games would be a success.