Winter Paralympics: China tops the medals table followed by Ukraine as the games come to a close
Beijing's Winter Paralympics drew to a close following a ban on Russian and Belarusian competitors as well as stellar performances from the host nation and athletes from conflict-hit Ukraine.
In his closing ceremony speech, International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons hailed the athletes as "beacons of hope, and champions for peace". On ice and snow athletes had "produced moments of magic" while organisers had achieved a "stunning, secure and spectacular" Games, Parsons said.Chinese President Xi Jinping was among dignitaries in attendance as the Paralympic flame was extinguished following nine days of sporting action in para-ice hockey, wheelchair curling, para-snowboarding, para-alpine skiing, para-biathlon and para-cross country skiing.
The team, which dominated in biathlon and cross-country skiing, claimed 11 gold medals and 29 podium finishes - four more medals than the country's previous best at Turin in 2006. "It's one of the most incredible displays of resilience I've ever seen in my life, in or outside of sport."
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