LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thousands of athletes have said goodbye to Los Angeles in an emotional closing ceremony for the Special Olympics.
After more than a week of games, athletes from more than 160 countries were applauded as they gathered on chairs on the field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Placards from their delegations were brought in on a gigantic red carpet.
The colorful Special Olympics flag was lowered and presented to a delegation from Austria, where the Winter Games will be held in 2017.
The flame lit in the Coliseum cauldron when the games opened on July 25 was extinguished.
During the games, some 6,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities took part in 25 sports ranging from weightlifting to soccer. Although not everyone won gold, silver or bronze medals, every competitor received a performance ribbon and a chance to take to the victory stand following their competition.
