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Paralympics Closing Ceremony: celebrate the superhumans
London 2012 celebrates the end of this year's Paralympic Games in an emotional finale with Coldplay, Rihanna, and the British Paraorchestra in the 'Festival of the Flame' closing concert.
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1. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
The Olympic Stadium is packed, and the world is ready to celebrate the achievements of this year's Paralympic athletes in a concert entitled 'Festival of the Flame'. The music is by David Arnold and is called 'Welcome'.
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2. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
An inflatable Paralympic Agitos hangs over the summer stage. There are four stages, one for each season.
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3. 'Human Endeavour' machine at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
This horse-like vehicle, called the 'Human Endeavour machine' enters the stadium, closely followed by rising flames on the backs of Members of the Company of Drummers.
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4. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Captain Luke Sinnot, who lost both legs and an arm in an IED bomb blast while serving in Afghanistan in 2010, climbs a flag pole. He hopes to represent Great Britain in Rio 2016.
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5. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Lissa Hermans, a singer who is blind and autistic, performs the National Anthem.
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6. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Athlete David Weir and cyclist Sarah Storey of Great Britain join the 164 flag-bearers from each of the nations. They are the most successful GB athletes at the 2012 Games, with four gold medals each.
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7. Pyrotechnics at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
The flag-bearers form a heart in the centre of the stadium, which sets alight to form a symbol of peace and love. The 'Festival of Flame' continues.
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8. Rory Mackenzie at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
'Let the festival commence', says Lance Corporal Rory Mackenzie in his speech, calling on the spirits of the four seasons.
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9. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
The athletes may be resting, but the ceremony is still high-octane! So much is going on - performers take part in 'Truck Invasion' and silhouettes of clock faces are projected into the crowd.
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10. Paralympics Games Makers are honoured at the Closing Ceremony 2012
The hours of hard work from all the Games Maker volunteers are recognised in a special moment in the ceremony.
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11. Paralympics Games Makers are honoured at the Closing Ceremony 2012
Volunteers receive recognition for their efforts during the Paralympics and Olympics during the closing ceremony
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12. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Heavy machinery and billowing flames - and the fun's only just beginning. A song by Coldplay, 'Life in Technicolor' is ringing out in the stadium.
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13. Coldplay Live at the Paralympic Closing Ceremony 2012
Chris Martin sings live with Coldplay in the first of many tracks. They sang 'Us Against The World', which was signed by the ceremony cast, and 'Yellow', dedicated to all the volunteers and performers at the Games.
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14. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
We've had summer, and now it's time for winter. Crows on stilts emerge from their autumnal hiding place.
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15. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Impressive shiny makeup from the wintery crow-like figures, performing in the stadium in front of around 60,000 people, and an international TV audience.
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16. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
It's not just athletes on the track who should be praised - these circus artists are showing their own unique skills to the world.
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17. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
The Candoco Dance Company, a contemporary group of 12 disabled and non-disabled dancers put on a firey show at the Olympic Stadium.
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18. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Circus artists Laszlo Simet and Lyndsay Adams perform using a motorcycle during the closing ceremony.
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19. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
A grasshopper makes its way into the stadium, representing spring in the seasonal spectacle. It's made from aeroplane parts.
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20. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Performers during the Paralympic Games closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.
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21. Rihanna Live at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Pop superstar Rihanna makes a spectacular entrance, live at the closing ceremony.
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22. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
A mechanical Steamship circles the arena during the closing ceremony. It was made using salvaged steel from Brighton's burnt-out pier.
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23. The British Paraorchestra Perform Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
The British Paraorchestra, a group of 17 musicians with varying levels of disability, performing the Paralympic Anthem as the flag is lowered. Not bad for an orchestra who only formed a few months ago.
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24. Boris Johnson at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, President of the IPC, Sir Philip Craven MBE, and Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes perform the Paralympic flag handover ceremony during the closing ceremony.
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25. Rio 2016 at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
It may well be the end of the London 2012 Games, but performers from Rio 2016 give us a taste of what's to come at the next Olympics and Paralympics.
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26. The Paralympic Torch is extinguished
More than 200 copper petals, representing each of the Olympic and Paralympic nations, will be taken home by each of the nations who took part. The flame is extinguished, but shared out to represent the flame burning within all of us.
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27. Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock
The flame is extinguished, but is being shared out across the stadium. Swimmer Eleanor Simmonds and athlete Jonnie Peacock of Great Britain light torches from the flame of the Paralympic cauldron as it gradually goes out.
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28. Rihanna, Chris Martin and Jay-Z Live at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Jay-Z joins Rihanna and Coldplay's Chris Martin to sing 'Run This Town'.
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29. Fireworks at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
It's all over. The flame may have been shared out around the stadium, but the fire is still burning in the form of a spectacular display.
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30. Fireworks at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Fireworks light up the sky as the ceremony comes to an end until Rio 2016.
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31. Fireworks at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
Athletes and spectators look on from the stadium as London celebrates the achievements of such a great Games. Paralympics GB came third in the medals table, winning 34 golds, 43 silvers and 43 bronzes.
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32. Fireworks During The Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
A 'Festival of Flame' is a perfect title for such a firey ceremony. "These Games have changed us all forever," said Lord Sebastian Coe, in his closing speech.
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33. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012
The fireworks fade and the sky above the Olympic Stadium goes dark as the ceremony marking London's successful Games is over. A legacy for us all.
