Sunday 9 September 2012

Paralympics Closing Ceremony

The ceremony begins with horn blowers signalling the entry of the wind and the dreamers awaking to protect the Agitos (the Paralympic symbol).

The next segment honours servicemen and women and Captain Luke Sinnott hangs the Union Flag followed by the Earl of Wessex and Sir Phillip Craven being driven around the track in a custom-built car.

Lissa Hermans sings the National Anthem and then Rory Mackenzie delivers the opening speech.

The flag bearers then enter the stadium with their respective colours, David Weir and Sarah Storey carry the flag for ParalympicsGB.

The flag bearers formed a heart shape which lights up the stadium and burns into the ground.

Then the festival begins with a procession of flamethrowers carving the ground and a parade of metal dinosaurs and various animal based vehicles entering the stadium.

Two athletes are then awarded for "fair, honest and uncompromising values" which are Michael McKillop and Mary Zakayo.

Tribute is then given to the a selection of the 'Games Makers' by six athletes and Coldplay begin their set on stage with the song 'Us Against the World'.

This is followed by 'Yellow' and a great performance of 'Paradise as 19 fireflies entered from the air.

A group of dancers set free a fellow dancer from a cage of ice while Coldplay sing, the dancer is playing the Snow Queen and is Viktoria Modesta.

Snow confetti comes down from the roof of the stadium as Coldplay continue with aerialists Laszlo Simet and Lyndsay Adams performing.

Lindsay goes on to ignite a ball of energy and leads the festival on to Spring.

Another Coldplay hit rings around the stadium  as 120 enter carrying  parts of a fish symbolised by 600 hub caps.

Coldplay's first special guest enters the stadium - Rhianna and she joins them in singing and then the British Paraorchestra plays to the crowds accompanied by Chris Martin.

Rhianna sings 'We Found Love' while swinging across the centre of the stadium followed by  'Viva la Vida' by Coldplay.

Summer fades away and the Paralympic flag is lowered and the Paralympic Anthem is played by the British Paraorchestra.

The flag is then passed from Boris Johnson through IPC President Phillip Craven and onto Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes.

The Brazilian National Anthem is then played and the Brazilian flag is raised. 2016 will be the first ever Paralympics to take place in South America.

Rio begin their segment of the ceremony and just like in the Olympic equivalent there is a main focus on dance.

As the segment ends the sky is filled with fireworks to light up the stadium.

Lord Coe and Sir Craven enter the stage and give speeches. Lord Coe says ' We have shared some wonderful days.... incredible people have performed feats we never thought possible.' He then tells two stories, the first about a medical games maker who was on his way to the boxing event.

The Games maker (Andy) says he was on duty on 7/7 and said he wasn't sure he could face the event but had seen the worst of mankind and now the best of mankind.'

The second was about Emily another games maker who took part in wheelchair basketball who said' It raised the cloud of limitation'

Lord Coe then thanked the volunteers and said disability would be never be thought of in the same way and quoted ' the cloud of limitation.'

London 2012 - made in Britain his last words caused rapturous applause as Sir Phillip began his speech.

He remarked that these games had been 'the most incredible games and that LOCOG has inspired a generation and the country has enjoyed a feel good factor like never before.'

He went on to thank the thousands of games makers and the British armed and emergency services which caused a massive cheer from  the crowd.

He closed with the words, 'I declare the London 2012 Paralympic games closed but they will live on for an eternity and I call on all nations to meet in Rio in four years to display your sporting excellence' and thanked the entire UK population.


Jonnie Peacock and Ellie Simmonds extinguish the Paralympic flame and the Festival of Flame resumes.

Rhianna reappears joined by Jay-Z singing 'Run This Town', Jay-Z then sings an adapted version of 'Paradise before being accompanied by Coldplay who then thank the athletes and sing 'The Scientist'.

While they are playing a montage of the events of the past 11 days is shown with many success and accolades featured.

Chris Martin asks the crowd to celebrate by thanking all the athletes and volunteers and says goodbye to London with the final song 'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall' which is accompanied by flowing water fountains and a mix of dancers.

The stadium lights up and a barrage of fireworks set off and light up the evening sky to create a very artistic masterpiece. The firework display ends with a sign saying ' Thank You London, Thank You UK.'

What a great four weeks it has been both in the Olympics and Paralympics!



(This blog will stay up for you to come back to reflect on the events of the greatest ever games.)

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