This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19537677

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Closing ceremony: Paralympics ends in 'festival of flame' Closing ceremony: Paralympics end in fiery finale
(35 minutes later)
The closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics is under way, after kicking off in a storm of wind and fire. London's 2012 Paralympics has ended with a fiery finale and official handover to 2016 host, Rio de Janeiro.
The show, said to be a "festival of flame" honouring Britain's ancient traditions and festivals, brings to a close 11 days of sport. The show, described as 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. UK band Coldplay has been 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.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. Unlike the other Games ceremonies, the 4,200 athletes have been seated around the main arena, putting them at the heart of the action.
Declaring the 2012 Paralympics closed, International Paralympic Committee president, Sir Philip Craven, said the Games had been "unique and without doubt, in my mind and those of the athletes - the greatest Paralympic Games ever".
He added: "These Games have changed us all forever."
Paralympians Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock helped to put out the Paralympic flame, which was shared out across the stadium symbolising "the eternal nature of the flame living among us all".
'A few surprises''A few surprises'
As Sunday's show began, a tribute was paid to armed forces charity, Help for Heroes, and armed forces personnel who provided last-minute Olympic security after private firm G4S failed to recruit enough guards.As Sunday's show began, a tribute was paid to armed forces charity, Help for Heroes, and armed forces personnel who provided last-minute Olympic security after private firm G4S failed to recruit enough guards.
GB Paralympians David Weir and Sarah Storey, who both won four gold medals at the Games, carried the British flag into the Stadium, as flagbearers representing 164 nations participating in the Paralympics entered the arena.GB Paralympians David Weir and Sarah Storey, who both won four gold medals at the Games, carried the British flag into the Stadium, as flagbearers representing 164 nations participating in the Paralympics entered the arena.
And Captain Luke Sinnott, who lost both legs and an arm in an IED bomb blast while serving in Afghanistan, climbed the flagpole to raise the Union Jack.And Captain Luke Sinnott, who lost both legs and an arm in an IED bomb blast while serving in Afghanistan, climbed the flagpole to raise the Union Jack.
As Coldplay sang songs from their five albums, dancers including the Candoco Dance Company - a contemporary group of 12 disabled and non-disabled dancers - performed with flames around the burning face of a "sun king".As Coldplay sang songs from their five albums, dancers including the Candoco Dance Company - a contemporary group of 12 disabled and non-disabled dancers - performed with flames around the burning face of a "sun king".
Later, the climax of the ceremony will see the Paralympic cauldron being extinguished and the Games officially handed to Rio de Janeiro, which will stage the Games in 2016.
Apart from Coldplay's live set, tonight's sold-out finale features performances from pop star Rihanna, rapper Jay-Z and a cast of around 1,200 performers on three circular stages - Summer, Winter and the Sundial.Apart from Coldplay's live set, tonight's sold-out finale features performances from pop star Rihanna, rapper Jay-Z and a cast of around 1,200 performers on three circular stages - Summer, Winter and the Sundial.
Coldplay made their appearance in the ceremony after around 45 minutes and launched into a series of songs straight away.Coldplay made their appearance in the ceremony after around 45 minutes and launched into a series of songs straight away.
The crowd were not allowed to get up on their feet and boogie as they had been told to sit down before the start of the show to allow the light from the video panels to shine through.The crowd were not allowed to get up on their feet and boogie as they had been told to sit down before the start of the show to allow the light from the video panels to shine through.
The band's appearance came after a spectacular opening to the show, which included plenty of flames, as promised by artistic director Kim Gavin, a series of unique vehicles, and the flying of the union jack by Captain Luke Sinnot, who was wounded in Afghanistan.The band's appearance came after a spectacular opening to the show, which included plenty of flames, as promised by artistic director Kim Gavin, a series of unique vehicles, and the flying of the union jack by Captain Luke Sinnot, who was wounded in Afghanistan.
All of this watched by the real stars of the show - the Paralympic athletes who, in a change to the other three 2012 ceremonies, entered the stadium and are sitting in the middle able to watch the whole show.All of this watched by the real stars of the show - the Paralympic athletes who, in a change to the other three 2012 ceremonies, entered the stadium and are sitting in the middle able to watch the whole show.
"The idea is the coming together as one," said artistic director Kim Gavin behind the Festival of Flame."The idea is the coming together as one," said artistic director Kim Gavin behind the Festival of Flame.
"We are known as a nation for having the most festivals, it is something that we do - with 600 festivals a year."We are known as a nation for having the most festivals, it is something that we do - with 600 festivals a year.
"We pay tribute to all the human spirit and achievement through this wonderful sport of the last two weeks.""We pay tribute to all the human spirit and achievement through this wonderful sport of the last two weeks."
A motorcade of "weird and wonderful" vehicles, crows on stilts, and flaming bicycles all invaded the Stadium during the show. A motorcade of "weird and wonderful" vehicles, crows on stilts, and flaming bicycles invaded the Stadium during the show.
And Kenya's Mary Nakhumicha ZakayoIrish and Irish runner Michael McKillop were presented with gold medals in recognition of them winning the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award - for athletes who exemplify the best spirit of the Paralympic Games.And Kenya's Mary Nakhumicha ZakayoIrish and Irish runner Michael McKillop were presented with gold medals in recognition of them winning the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award - for athletes who exemplify the best spirit of the Paralympic Games.
Some 120 child volunteers from east London are taking part in tonight's show, with disabled aerial performers from Circus Scape and The British Paraorchestra. Some 120 child volunteers from east London are taking part in tonight's show, along with disabled aerial performers from Circus Scape and The British Paraorchestra.
After being passed the Paralympic flag by London Mayor Boris Johnson, performers from Rio - which will stage the games in 2016 - put on a colourful performance fusing hip-hip freestyle and samba, performed by disabled and non-disabled dancers.
Speaking to the 80,000-strong crowd, organising committee chairman Lord Coe said the UK would "never think of sport the same way and we will never think of disability the same way.
"The Paralympians have lifted the cloud of limitation."
'Superhuman''Superhuman'
Speaking before the start of the ceremony, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I think it's been an absolute triumph from start to finish and I'm really proud of the country, not just that we've put on a great show, but we've had these great audiences".Speaking before the start of the ceremony, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I think it's been an absolute triumph from start to finish and I'm really proud of the country, not just that we've put on a great show, but we've had these great audiences".
Mr Cameron, whose disabled son Ivan died in 2009, added: "I think back to Ivan. As every parent, you think about all the things they can't do, but at the Paralympics they are superhuman, you see all the things they can do."Mr Cameron, whose disabled son Ivan died in 2009, added: "I think back to Ivan. As every parent, you think about all the things they can't do, but at the Paralympics they are superhuman, you see all the things they can do."
He also said it would give momentum to sports participation and the Paralympics had changed perceptions of disabled sport.He also said it would give momentum to sports participation and the Paralympics had changed perceptions of disabled sport.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said he hoped to see a social and cultural legacy from the Games.Mayor of London Boris Johnson said he hoped to see a social and cultural legacy from the Games.
Organising committee chairman Lord Coe said: "It has been fantastic. We get Paralympics sport in this country. I never really doubted that the Paralympic Games would be anything other than a show-stopper."
China has finished top of the Paralympic medals table, with 231 medals - 95 gold. Great Britain cemented third place behind Russia, with a tally of 120, including 34 golds.China has finished top of the Paralympic medals table, with 231 medals - 95 gold. Great Britain cemented third place behind Russia, with a tally of 120, including 34 golds.
In other developments on the final weekend of 2012:In other developments on the final weekend of 2012:
  • Thousands of spectators cheered GB's David Weir to victory in the wheelchair marathon - his fourth 2012 gold medal.
  • Team-mate Shelly Woods took the silver in the women's race
  • On Sunday, Brazil's Tito Sena won the T46 marathon, and Alberto Suarez of Spain won gold in the T12 event, breaking his own world record with a time of 2:24:50
  • Organisers say some 2.7 million Paralympic tickets have been sold - beating targets by 200,000 and predicted sales by £10m
  • Thousands of spectators cheered GB's David Weir to victory in the wheelchair marathon - his fourth 2012 gold medal.
  • Team-mate Shelly Woods took the silver in the women's race
  • On Sunday, Brazil's Tito Sena won the T46 marathon, and Alberto Suarez of Spain won gold in the T12 event, breaking his own world record with a time of 2:24:50
  • Organisers say some 2.7 million Paralympic tickets have been sold - beating targets by 200,000 and predicted sales by £10m
On Monday, British stars of the Olympics and Paralympics will celebrate their success during a victory parade through the streets of London.On Monday, British stars of the Olympics and Paralympics will celebrate their success during a victory parade through the streets of London.
Are you attending the Paralympics closing ceremony? Will you watch the event on TV? What is the legacy? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you attending the Paralympics closing ceremony? Will you watch the event on TV? What is the legacy? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.