Skip to main content
12221
Chatbot Button Back to International Paralympic Committee homepage Go to PyeongChang 2018
Contrast:
High Contrast
Normal Contrast
Enlargement:
Larger Font Size
Default Font Size
Smaller Font Size
    • Home
    • Watch
    • News
    • Schedule & Results
    • Highlights
    • Sports
    • Countries
    • Athletes
    • Venues
    • About
    • Tickets
    • Samsung Bloggers
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    PyeongChang 2018: Closing Ceremony praises record-breaking Games

    18.03.2018

    Event celebrates athletes' achievements as South Korean city hands Paralympic flag over to Beijing

    Fireworks over the stadium during Closing Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium © • Simon Bruty for OIS/IOC
    Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker

    After 10 action-packed days of sports, the Paralympic flame was extinguished.

    The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games came to an end in a blaze of fireworks on Sunday (18 March) with a festive Closing Ceremony held at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium.

    The event broke innumerable records, with more athletes from more countries competing, more media and broadcast rights holders attending, and more tickets sold than at any previous edition of a Winter Paralympics.

    Moreover, 26 out of the 49 delegations won at least one medal, beating the mark set at Lillehammer 1994, with a record number of 20 taking gold.

    The evening began with the playing of the South Korean national anthem and the hoisting of the country´s flag.

    It was followed by Korean Folk song 'Arirang' to reminiscence the moments of joy and sorrow during the Winter Paralympics, and recognised the effort and contribution made by the Para athletes, Gangwon Province residents, volunteers and staff.

    Every delegation was again received with a wave of applause.

    In a symbolic handover, the Paralympic flag was given to Chen Jining, the mayor of Beijing, the host city of the Paralympic Winter Games in 2022.

    In his speech, the President of the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee Lee Hee-beom mentioned Nordic skiers Sin Euu Hyun, who won South Korea's first ever gold in the Winter Paralympics, and USA's Daniel Cnossen to represent all Paralympians.

    "Touching stories of human victory drama showcased by Para athletes through these Games will be remembered forever in our hearts," said President Lee.

    "PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games connected the world as one, and South and North Korean athletes also raised together the Paralympic Torch.

    "Paralympic Flame, as it may extinguish, will bring together the world forever in a spirit of peace far beyond the Korean Peninsula."

    International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons' final speech made reference to world-renowned physicist and author Stephen Hawking, who passed away on Wednesday (14 March).

    "One man who had a dream was the late Professor Stephen Hawking, a genius of a man, a pioneer and inspiration to us all. At the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, Hawking noted that we are all different and that there is no such thing as a standard or run of the mill human being.

    "He urged us all to “Looks at the stars, and not at our feet.”

    "And, over the last 10 days the stars have shone brightly here in PyeongChang. While Hawking tested the limits of his imagination, Paralympians, you have once again pushed the boundaries of human endeavour. Your logic defying performances have focused the world not on what holds you back, but on what motivates and pushes you forward."

    The Closing Ceremony also included the official presentation of the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award for New Zealand's alpine skier Adam Hall and Finland's Nordic skier Sini Pyy, the two Paralympians who were considered to best exemplify the spirit and values of the Games.

    Marie Bochet, Rudolf Klemetti and Birgit Skarstein, the three IPC Athletes' Council winter representatives elected during the Winter Paralympics, were introduced, and a flower presentation was made to all the volunteers who participated in the event.

    The Bae Hui Gwan Band, which is made up of musicians with impairments, then took to the stage preparing for the final act when it was joined by South Korean pop star Ailee. The PyeongChang Olympic Stadium became a great party to the delight of the home crowd.

    Related News
    PyeongChang 2018: Last minute surprises on final day
    PyeongChang 2018: IPC President's Closing Ceremony Speech
    PyeongChang 2018: Closing Ceremony flag bearers
    PyeongChang 2018: The record-breaking Games
    • Tweet
      • print
      • send
    LATEST NEWS
    Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation 05.08.2019 Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation
    Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude 05.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude
    Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day 04.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day
    Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way 03.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way
    Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month 02.08.2019 Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month
    More news...following the link
    Worldwide Paralympic Partners
    Go to Atos partner page
    Go to Bridgestone partner page
    Go to OttoBock partner page
    Go to Panasonic partner page
    Go to Samsung partner page
    Go to Toyota partner page
    Go to Visa partner page
    International Partners
    Go to Allianz partner page
    Go to BP partner page
    Go to Citi partner page
    • FAQ
    • Privacy
    • Imprint
    • Jobs
    Powered by Go to Atos. Worldwide IPC partner page
    The Paralympic Games
    Summer Games
    Winter Games
    Sochi 2014
    Rio 2016
    All the results & medallist since 1960
    Games video archive
    About the IPC
    Who we are
    Anti-Doping
    Medical
    Partners
    IPC Strategic Plan 2015-2018
    IPC Handbook
    Publications and Documents
    Media Centre
    News
    Features & Interviews
    The Paralympian
    Videos
    Athlete of the Month
    Media Office
    Sports
    Summer Sports
    Winter Sports
    Biographies
    NPCS
    Africa
    America
    Asia
    Europe
    Oceania
    Go to International Paralympic Committee homepage
    Official Website of the Paralympic Movement • IPC
    Homepage
    Paralympic Games
    The IPC
    Results, Ranking & Records
    Media Centre
    Videos
    Sports
    International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
    Adenauerallee 212-214, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Telephone: +49-228-2097-200 • Fax: +49-228-2097-209 • E-mail: info@paralympic.org
    04:06:16