By Arinze Ude.
The 2012 London Paralympic Games ended yesterday in a grand ceremony; there were performances, arts and display. Rock group, Coldplay, performed 15 songs including Paradise, the theme song of the Games.
The 12-day event saw 4,200 Paralympians from 164 nations compete and battle for top honours in various sports events defying the laws of physics and nature, and entertaining the world. Lord Coe, the London 2012 Olympic Games Committee Chairman described the Games as ‘the most extraordinary’.
These paralympians made memories during the Games. For example, the cyclist who rode without his prosthetics with just one arm and leg; a gold medal American tennis player who only served the ball with his feet, several armless swimmers and archers; and amputees who played rugby.
China finished top in the medals table with 95 gold, 77 silver and 65 bronze; Russia finished second with 36 gold, 38 silver, and 28 bronze while Great Britain finished third with 36 Gold, 43 silver and 43 bronze. Nigeria finished 22nd on the table with 6 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals with most, coming from Powerlifting.
