The BBC on the close of the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing:
The Mayor of London has received the Paralympic flag as Beijing extinguished its flame in the Bird’s Nest stadium.
International Paralympic Committee chief Philip Craven hailed Beijing 2008 as “the greatest Games ever” during a moving, colourful closing ceremony.
London 2012′s double decker bus made a second appearance alongside wheelchair basketball star Ade Adepitan.
British organisers offered “youth and zest” for London’s second handover, featuring a new generation of talent.
Once again, the Beijing organisers produced a ceremony packed with light, sound and choreography, lapped up by a capacity Bird’s Nest audience.
Thousands of leaves and petals fell from the sky on a still, clear evening in Beijing, exploding into a feast of colour.
Craven paid tribute to “the best ever Paralympic villages, a never-ending and self-generating supply of passion and emotion, superb organisation and wonderful volunteers” in his speech.
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