Laois swimmer Nicole Turner carried the Irish flag into the stadium.
Advertisement
China’s relay team pose with their country’s national flag after winning the gold medal in the men’s 4×400-meter – T53/54 final at the Olympic Stadium during the Paralympic Games.
Golbarnezhad, 48, lost control of his bike on a descent in the men’s C4/C5 road race.
IPC President Philip Craven said the organisation was “united in grief” by Golbarnezhad’s passing.
Several hundred Nigerians on Sunday turned out at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to welcome the first batch of victorious 2016 Paralympics athletes from Rio in Brazil.
Hailing the success of the Games, Craven told the crowd: “You embraced the Games and took the athletes to your hearts and they relished your support”.
“This is very sad news for the sport and for the Paralympic movement”, said Carlos Nuzman, president of Rio 2016.
As Craven declared the Games over – with Tokyo now taking up the baton for 2020 – he said Brazil had passed a hard test.
In addition to ending the Paralympic Games, the closing ceremony finished all Rio 2016 activities and a cycle of mega-events brought to Brazil.
There were also global tensions over a ban imposed by the worldwide Paralympic Committee on the entire Russian team because of alleged state doping.
“Every story that every Paralympian has, not just from our team but every story you hear about how people have been injured or how people acquired their disability or overcame their disability to achieve greatness on the sporting field is pretty fantastic”, the 28-year-old said.
The 308 Chinese athletes who competed in 17 out of 22 sports not only inspired the world with their performances and personal journeys to a world competition, but their presence also spoke loudly of their country’s commitment to promoting equality for the disabled in sports.
Another gold medal in swimming went to Vladimir Izotov, who exceeded his London Paralympics result in the 100 m breaststroke, setting a new Paralympic record. However, Centrowitz won in what was by Olympic standards a near record slow race, meaning Baka’s outstanding time was of mostly symbolic significance.
The Shiraz-born cyclist was also commemorated by the Iran’s sitting volleyball team, who won gold with a 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier on Sunday.
China topped the table with 105 gold medals.
Dame Sarah Storey won Gold medals in the Women’s C4-5 road race and the Women’s time trial C5, as well as Gold in the C5 3000m individual pursuit, in which Britain’s Crystal Lane achieved Silver.
Advertisement
Pezaro said she is unsure whether she will compete in Tokyo 2020.
