Click to play videoBeijing: China finally brought down the curtains on the months of sporting extravaganza in Beijing with the Paralympic Games closing ceremony on Wednesday.
The Games, over the last few weeks, saw the best differently abled athletes in the world representing their country and competing among their peers for records and medals.
Thousands of spectators made their way into the iconic Birds Nest to attend the ceremony that marks the end of China's 2008 Games, where they handed the Paralympic flame over to London for the 2012 Games.
''These games have been great games,'' Philip Craven, President of International Paralympic Committee, was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.
''Everybody realises that. These are the greatest Paralympic Games ever.''
The symbolic hand over came as London Mayor Boris Johnson and Beijing counterpart Guo Jinlong gathered on the infield.
The London handover segment featured a red London double-decker bus, London landmarks like Nelson's Column and a moment when a ''tea lady'' arrived and the show stopped.
China led the gold-medal table in the Olympics and did the same in the Paralympics, winning 89 gold and 211 overall. Britain was No. 2 with 42 gold and 102 overall. The United States was No. 3 with 36 and 99.
South African swimmer Natalie Du Toit, who also competed in the Olympics, won five gold medals. She lost her left leg after a 2001 motorcycle crash.
Compatriot Oscar Pistroius, a double-amputee sprinter who runs on carbon-fiber legs, won three golds in 100, 200 and 400 meters.
He is hoping to run against able-bodied athletes in next year's world championships in Berlin, and the London Games.
Du Toit also plans to compete in the regular Olympics in London, in the 800-meter freestyle and the 10-kilometer open-water swim.
(With inputs from AP)
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