Closing ceremony: Paralympics ends in 'festival of flame'

[Supreme]

BBC News - Closing ceremony: Paralympics ends in 'festival of flame'

The closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics is under way, after kicking off in a storm of wind and fire.

The show, said to be a "festival of flame" honouring Britain's ancient traditions and festivals, brings to a close 11 days of sport.

UK band Coldplay is leading the show, which started at 20:30 BST, with a live set reflecting the four seasons.

The event ends what organisers say has been the most successful event in Paralympic history.

Unlike the other Games ceremonies, the 4,200 athletes are seated around the main arena, putting them at the heart of the action.

'A few surprises'
As Sunday's show began, a tribute was paid to armed forces charity, Help for Heroes, and the Army personnel who provided last-minute Olympic security after private firm G4S failed to recruit enough guards.

What a fantastic closing ceremony, and what a fantastic Games. The greatest Paralympics ever. The Paralympians were seen not just as disabled people, but as athletes in their own right. However, whether this will change the attitude to sport in this country is anyone's guess.

 

[Paradoxum]

Way too much Coldplay!! Almost bored me to death. The only reason I kept watching is because I felt I should watch the closing.

The Olympics had much more variety.