The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games have now become an inspiring reference point for all athletes, officials, spectators, and just about every person from around the world. From 6-17 September, the Chinese capital was host to what the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Sir Philip Craven, deemed the greatest Games ever in his speech at the Closing Ceremony. The people of China did deliver an unforgettable and well-organized sporting event in Beijing, and it did change standards. In effect, what this signifies today is the marking of a large growth spurt for the Paralympic Movement.

The Games saw about 4,000 athletes from a total of 147 different countries in Beijing, competing in 20 different sports, including a new addition to the Paralympic programme, Rowing. The Beijing Games had a total of 472 medal events, with 262 for men, 176 for women, and 34 were in mixed events.

The medal tally was topped by the host country, China, winning 89 gold medals. Following the Chinese Paralympic Team in the gold medal count were Great Britain with 42, USA with 36, Ukraine with 24 and Australia with 23. The Games saw a total of 279 new World records, and 339 new Paralympic records.

With regard to spectators, the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games saw a total of 3.44 million people on site. Guiding the crowds on the Olympic Green and in the venues were more than 30,000 volunteers, mostly from China.

Every one of these facts and figures during the Paralympic Games was celebrated at the Closing Ceremony. With the thoroughly presented “Letter to the Future” theme, the event closed this successful chapter in Paralympic history.

During the Closing Ceremony, the audience was brought into the stadium as not only spectators, but as players, with the option of writing postcards to friends and family from Beijing. The athletes and delegations entered into the stadium at the very beginning of the ceremony, giving them the opportunity to witness the entire performance. After well-received speeches and appearances from Sir Philip, the President of the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee (BOCOG), Liu Qi, and the President of China, Hu Jintao, a short video followed which introduced spectators to the winners of the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award, Said Gomez of Panama and Natalie Du Toit of South Africa. The award was presented by Dr. Whang and IPC Vice President Miguel Sagarra and recognized elite athletes who have exemplified an exceptional level of determination in overcoming adversity through sports and the Paralympic Games.

Extinguishing the Paralympic flame was done with the help of Wang Yimei, a ten-year-old with a hearing impairment. Yimei’s sign language spoke to the flame, putting it out in 50 seconds, and giving people around the world an interpretation of her spirit, and the spirit of the Games.

Some of the dignitaries attending the Games included Dr. Horst Kuhler (President of Germany), Mahamoud Ahmadinejad (President of Iran), HRH Princess Margriet (IPC Honorary Board Member, The Netherlands), HRH Princess Victoria (IPC Honorary Board Member, Sweden), Hassan Ali bin Ali (IPC Honorary Board Member, Qatar) and Soprano Maria Guleghina (IPC Honorary Board Member, Belarus), HRH Prince Felix (Luxembourg), HRH Prince Edward (Great Britain), HRH Princess Astrid and HRH Prince Lorenz (Belgium), Jadranka Kosor (Vice Prime Minister, Croatia), Abdul-Rahman Hassan Bimba (Minister of Sports, Nigeria), Djamel Ouldabbes (Minister of Solidarity, Algeria), Johanna Sigurdardottir (Minister of Social Affairs and Social Security, Iceland), Orlando de Jesus Silva (Sport Minister, Brazil), Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Minister of Youth and Sports, Malaysia), Dr. Batsereedene Byambaa (Minister of Health, Mongolia), Vivian Balakrishnan (Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore), Kate Ellis (Minister of Sport, Australia), and Tessa Jowell (Olympic and Paralympic Minister, Great Britain).