Paralympics Games 2016: Rio closes the games in style with an explosion of colour and music
THE Paralympics closed with an explosion of colour at the Maracana Stadium as Rio capped off a surprisingly successful games.
A packed stadium witnessed a Brazilian musician Johnatha Bastos play the electric guitar with his feet after a eye-opening firework display whilst there was also a minute silence to remember the fatal crash of Iranian cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad.
The closing ceremony began with fireworks lighting the skiesAP:Associated PressKadeena Fox won three medals as she carried Team GB’s flagGetty Images
Carrying the Great British flag was athlete Kadeena Cox who won gold, silver and bronze as the crowd were treated to music and dancing in typical Brazilian carnival style.
Just one week before the opening day of the Paralympics, organisers were fearing the worst after just 12% of tickets were sold.
But by the end of the Paralympic games officials say they sold 2.1 million tickets – fewer than in London 2012 but more than Beijing four years earlier.
Performers celebrate the close of the gamesAP:Associated PressAthletes joined in a giant congaGetty ImagesMaracana Stadium glistened with a variety of coloursReuters
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5-a-side Brazilian footballer Ricardinho carries the host countries national flagAP:Associated PressSinger Vanessa da Mata performs to the crowdGetty ImagesLights lit the up the famous stadiumGetty ImagesThe games were handed over to TokyoGetty Images
Following the success from the Olympics, Team GB produced more remarkable results taking home 147 medals surpassing their London tally by 27.
And the athletes celebrated in style as an unplanned conga took place in front of thousands to the music of Bob Marley's 'One Love'.
Rio created heroes such as Brazilian Daniel Dias who claimed three golds in the pool or Egypt's Ibrahim Hamadtou who remarkably plays table tennis with the bat in his mouth.
Tokyo will now take over as they prepare to host the Paralympics for a second time.
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