But these are mere statistics, though they speak of the sincerity and backbreaking efforts of the athletes.

The greater message from the Paralympics was something altogether different. If the 17-day Olympics was a proud achievement, the 12-day Paralympics proved to be a humbling experience.

Everyone, including President Hu Jintao, has said it will help us to serve the physically challenged better.

Panama's Said Gomez and South Africa's Natalie Du Toit were given the Whang Youn-dai award.

The award was introduced by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in Seoul 1988 to steel the resolve of physically challenged people to overcome adversities by trying to excel in sports.

Gomez, who lost his eyesight at a young age, is a triple Paralympic gold medallist, and Du Toit, who competed in the Olympics too, claimed golds in all the five Paralympic swimming events she took part.

"The Paralympic spirit that is ever bright in our movement, found here in China, a kindred spirit," IPC President Philip Craven said. "It reached out to you, you embraced it and it is now cherished in your hearts."

All the participants got the opportunity to write their hopes and blessing on postcards, 10,000 of which were distributed at the site.

London took over the Paralympics torch from Beijing yesterday. London Mayor Boris Johnson took the Paralympic flag from Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong at the end of the closing ceremony. A red double-decker was driven inside the Bird's Nest for the second time in less than four weeks to cheers from the crowd.

By Lei Lei

Editor: Feng Hui