A superbly devised opening to the closing ceremony saw a quirky 'Siri-esque' conversation on the big screens before a guitar spectacular accompanied by acrobats and performers including Jonathan Bastos who plays the guitar with his feet and featured in the illusive 'Yes I Can' promo for Channel 4.
Next up was the introduction of IPC President Sir Phillip Craven to the crowd before the Brazilian flag entered the Maracana floor followed by the singing of the Brazilian national anthem as the flag was raised alongside the Paralympic flag. The parade of the flags followed with the GB flag being carried by double gold medallist Kadeena Cox, the first to win a medal for GB in two sports in a single games since 1988.
A wonderful parade it was too with colour filling the arena floor with the flag bearers accompanied by the 'cloud' attired volunteers and the biggest roar of the parade came with the entry of the Brazilian flag. Fireworks light up the night sky before an audio-visual celebration of diversity featuring the flora and fauna of Brazil, a pleasure to see and hear.
Next up,the crowd were treated to a number of local singers, far better than some of those seen on the XFactor over here that's for sure including a great performance from Vanessa Da Mata. Ibrahim Al Hussein and Tatyana McFadden were presented with the prestigious Whang Youn Dai award.
Following that, the five athletes elected to the IPC Athletes Council - Monica Bascio, Kurt Fearnley Chelsey Gotell, Elvira Stinissen and Dame Sarah Storey were introduced on stage followed by a lovely presentation to the representatives of the games volunteers.
A great performance of 'One Love' was followed by a montage of some of the best moments of the games and the Paralympic Anthem which was played superbly as the Paralympic flag was lowered leading into the handover ceremony. This saw the Paralympic flag passed from the Brazilian representative to IPC President Sir Phillip Craven and onto the Governor of Tokyo which was followed by the Japanese national anthem and flag raising.
The screens displayed a thank you to Rio from Japan and outlining their history in the games from first medallists to their mantra for 2020 -'Positive Switch'. This was followed by a vision of Tokyo in the form of imagination through colourful dancing and music led by Akira Hiyama and culminating with the invitation - 'See You In Tokyo'.
A montage featuring the Rio 2016 team from officials to competitors to volunteers with emotions both positive and reflective. The speech from Rio 2016 Organising Committee President, Carlos Arthur Nuzman opened with a touching tribute to the Iranian cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad who passed away yesterday.
He went on to praise Brazil and acclaimed - ' Mission Accomplished' and added ' The impossible happened. Brazilians never give up'. Thanking the volunteers for their dedication, competence and enthusiasm. Ending by saying ' Congratulations Rio, Congratulations Brazil and Good Luck Tokyo'.
IPC President Sir Phillip Craven also opened his speech with a tribute to Bahman Golbarnezhad with a moment of silence and praising 'The Cariocas' for the enthusiasm and stunning city with his souvenir being the 'Fantastic Cariocas'. He announced that the Paralympic Order award would be given to the people of Rio and Brazil itself. Going on to thank all those involved in the games before reminiscing on 'The Letter of the Future' from the Beijing 2008 closing ceremony before officially closing the games.
The speeches now completed, it was time to as the announcer put it - 'Rock the Maracana' and the slight rainfall certainly didn't dampen the mood as the party started. A superb collection of songs to get the crowd pumped and dancing including a brilliant performance from Hull's very own Calum Scott who featured on Britain's Got Talent in 2015. The ceremony ended with the extinguishing of the Paralympic Flame and spectacular performance from Ivete Sangalo with a fabulous firework display lighting up the Rio skyline.
An absolutely awesome month or so covering both the Rio Olympics and Paralympics topped off with a mention from the double Paralympic champion Kadeena Cox on Twitter after choosing her as my highlight of the Paralympic games. It's goodbye for now on this blog portal until February 2018 for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang!
Next up was the introduction of IPC President Sir Phillip Craven to the crowd before the Brazilian flag entered the Maracana floor followed by the singing of the Brazilian national anthem as the flag was raised alongside the Paralympic flag. The parade of the flags followed with the GB flag being carried by double gold medallist Kadeena Cox, the first to win a medal for GB in two sports in a single games since 1988.
A wonderful parade it was too with colour filling the arena floor with the flag bearers accompanied by the 'cloud' attired volunteers and the biggest roar of the parade came with the entry of the Brazilian flag. Fireworks light up the night sky before an audio-visual celebration of diversity featuring the flora and fauna of Brazil, a pleasure to see and hear.
Next up,the crowd were treated to a number of local singers, far better than some of those seen on the XFactor over here that's for sure including a great performance from Vanessa Da Mata. Ibrahim Al Hussein and Tatyana McFadden were presented with the prestigious Whang Youn Dai award.
Following that, the five athletes elected to the IPC Athletes Council - Monica Bascio, Kurt Fearnley Chelsey Gotell, Elvira Stinissen and Dame Sarah Storey were introduced on stage followed by a lovely presentation to the representatives of the games volunteers.
A great performance of 'One Love' was followed by a montage of some of the best moments of the games and the Paralympic Anthem which was played superbly as the Paralympic flag was lowered leading into the handover ceremony. This saw the Paralympic flag passed from the Brazilian representative to IPC President Sir Phillip Craven and onto the Governor of Tokyo which was followed by the Japanese national anthem and flag raising.
The screens displayed a thank you to Rio from Japan and outlining their history in the games from first medallists to their mantra for 2020 -'Positive Switch'. This was followed by a vision of Tokyo in the form of imagination through colourful dancing and music led by Akira Hiyama and culminating with the invitation - 'See You In Tokyo'.
A montage featuring the Rio 2016 team from officials to competitors to volunteers with emotions both positive and reflective. The speech from Rio 2016 Organising Committee President, Carlos Arthur Nuzman opened with a touching tribute to the Iranian cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad who passed away yesterday.
He went on to praise Brazil and acclaimed - ' Mission Accomplished' and added ' The impossible happened. Brazilians never give up'. Thanking the volunteers for their dedication, competence and enthusiasm. Ending by saying ' Congratulations Rio, Congratulations Brazil and Good Luck Tokyo'.
IPC President Sir Phillip Craven also opened his speech with a tribute to Bahman Golbarnezhad with a moment of silence and praising 'The Cariocas' for the enthusiasm and stunning city with his souvenir being the 'Fantastic Cariocas'. He announced that the Paralympic Order award would be given to the people of Rio and Brazil itself. Going on to thank all those involved in the games before reminiscing on 'The Letter of the Future' from the Beijing 2008 closing ceremony before officially closing the games.
The speeches now completed, it was time to as the announcer put it - 'Rock the Maracana' and the slight rainfall certainly didn't dampen the mood as the party started. A superb collection of songs to get the crowd pumped and dancing including a brilliant performance from Hull's very own Calum Scott who featured on Britain's Got Talent in 2015. The ceremony ended with the extinguishing of the Paralympic Flame and spectacular performance from Ivete Sangalo with a fabulous firework display lighting up the Rio skyline.
An absolutely awesome month or so covering both the Rio Olympics and Paralympics topped off with a mention from the double Paralympic champion Kadeena Cox on Twitter after choosing her as my highlight of the Paralympic games. It's goodbye for now on this blog portal until February 2018 for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang!
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