Paralympics close in celebration -- and memory of tragedy

SBS World News Radio: The 15th Summer Paralympic Games have closed in spectacular fashion in the Brazilian capital Rio de Janeiro after two weeks of competition.

Paralympics close in celebration -- and memory of tragedyParalympics close in celebration -- and memory of tragedy

Paralympics close in celebration -- and memory of tragedy

Brazil has farewelled the Games with fireworks and samba at Rio's famed Maracana stadium.

A giant conga line of athletes weaved around the stadium to the cheers of thousands of fans who danced in the stands to Brazilian funk music.

International Paralympics Committee president Sir Philip Craven says it has been one of the most successful Paralympic Games yet.

"You know, with 2.1 million tickets sold, the second-highest ticket sales ever at a Paralympics Games, the quite amazing athletic performances in all of the sports, that has come together and has created a brilliant Games for the spectators, for the television, for the social media. We've never had such high figures. So, worldwide, it's had a massive effect. And, in Brazil, they've taken us to their hearts, and we've taken them to ours."

Army veteran and para-canoe gold medallist Curtis McGrath was Australia's flag-bearer at the ceremony.

He told Channel 7 it was a special moment.

"There's not many people (who) get this opportunity. I want to make it very memorable, and it's something I'll probably never, ever forget, because it's my proudest moment for sure."

Australia secured a top-five finish in the medal tally at the Rio Paralympic Games.

The Australians took home 22 gold medals, 30 silver and 29 bronze to finish fifth behind China, Great Britain, Ukraine and the United States.

Australia has now achieved a top-five finish at every Games since Barcelona in 1992.

The Paralympics had some inspiring stories and remarkable performances.

Four Paralympic runners posted faster times in the 1500 metres in athletics than last month's Rio Olympic gold medallist.

But the celebratory mood was overshadowed by the death of Iranian cyclist Sarafraz Bahman Golbarnezhad.

He died after crashing in the C4-5 event at the Paralympics on Saturday, the first such death at the Games since they began in 1960.

Sir Philip remembered the 48-year-old, who crashed at the first portion of the Grumari loop on a mountainous stretch of the cycling course in Rio.

''The Iranians have asked for two things. One is to expedite the repatriation of Bahman's body so it can be with the family in, I understand, Shiraz, in Iran, as soon as possible. We're hoping that that will be effected today, Sunday. And, of course, the Iranians want the full explanation as to what did happen. That's something that I have stressed very clearly to both the Organising Committee and to the UCI.''

The UCI, or International Cycling Union, is the world governing body for cycling.

The 2020 Summer Olympics will be held in the Japanese capital of Tokyo from August the 9th to 23rd.

The Paralympics will then run from August the 25th to September the 6th.


Share

3 min read

Published


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world