The inaugural Asian Para Games came to a close at the Aoti Main Stadium on December 19, with its flame and spirit to be kept in Guangzhou forever.
Dato' Zainal Abu Zarin, President of Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), said the event was "the best Games for athletes ever staged in Asia so far." "The last eight days will live long into our memories, but I am sure the legacy of these Games will last even longer," said Zarin.
Before extinguishing the flame, a torch was lit from the caldron, keeping the flame, as well as the spirit, alive forever in Guangzhou after the closing of the first-ever Asian Para Games.
"Thank you Guangzhou for staging the most amazing and spectacular Asian Para Games. The benchmark for future Para Games has been set in terms of participation, performance and venues, particularly the humanistic spirit demonstrated," said Zarin. "You promised a Games of equal splendor and I'm delighted to say you duly delivered," he added.
The eight-day sports gala for disabled athletes across Asia, featured 2,512 athletes from 41 member countries and regions of the Asian Paralympic Family to take part in a total of 19 sports and provided a platform for the athletes to realize their dreams and show the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.
Asia has a long and proud history in staging major Paralympic events, dating back to the first FESPIC Games (the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled) in 1975. But it is the first time that a multi-sport para games runs parallel to the Asian Games in the same city and the same year.
After the dissolution of the FESPIC Games (the parallel sport event for disabled Pacific and East Asian athletes), the final FESPIC held in November 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. And then, the FESPIC Games was replaced by the Asian Para Games, leaving the first host city Guangzhou, also known as the "Flower City", with no precedent for preparation.
Competition and training venues as well as many other facilities used for the 16th Asian Games were converted to be accessible for Asian Para Games participants. Transport, catering and medical services all set a standard for future host cities.
During the Games, Guangzhou residents, holding valid ID cards, were provided with free games tickets while spectators enjoyed gratis public transport.
Medals of the first-ever Asian Para Games were won by 31 of all the 41 countries and regions. Twenty athletes from six delegations had broken 17 world records a total of 21 times and 74 athletes from 13 delegations had broken 82 Asian records 98 times.
Over 25,000 Games-time volunteers were assigned to, and carried out duties, providing a variety of services and some 500,000 city volunteers provided services at 600 service stations and 2,139 service stands in the city.
