September 18th 2016 - Marathon and Closing Ceremony
2 galleries
The very last day of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
The last event of the games was the Marathon; held on the iconic and beautiful Copacabana Beach under sweltering heat.
In the evening at the Maracana Stadium the closing ceremony and a bid farewell to Rio De Janeiro and Brazil.
The games were truly memorable. In spectator numbers they were the second most successful games in Paralympic History; just behind London 2012. Yet you couldn't have two more contrasting events!
I left Brazil with lasting memories of one of the most mesmerising cities I have ever visited. The warmth and the friendliness of our welcome here was incredible. With the limited budgets of the organisation I would challenge anyone to put on a better event. The colour; the vibrance and the sheer enthusiasm and support of the Brazilian spectators and visitors created an atmosphere like no other.
At times, I will be honest, it was difficult, though. The security could be overbearing. Photo-positions would change from day to day. The media buses were like a crazy rollercoaster ride. Yet for all the challenges we faced as the media; as the photographic press; we got our jobs done and witnessed and were part something truly special.
For my part working for CPSF France Paralypmique made for my best games ever. To be part of the delegation of the country I call home was a privilege and a real honour.
Obrigado Brazil!
Obrigrado et merci L'Equipe De France Paralympique!!
The last event of the games was the Marathon; held on the iconic and beautiful Copacabana Beach under sweltering heat.
In the evening at the Maracana Stadium the closing ceremony and a bid farewell to Rio De Janeiro and Brazil.
The games were truly memorable. In spectator numbers they were the second most successful games in Paralympic History; just behind London 2012. Yet you couldn't have two more contrasting events!
I left Brazil with lasting memories of one of the most mesmerising cities I have ever visited. The warmth and the friendliness of our welcome here was incredible. With the limited budgets of the organisation I would challenge anyone to put on a better event. The colour; the vibrance and the sheer enthusiasm and support of the Brazilian spectators and visitors created an atmosphere like no other.
At times, I will be honest, it was difficult, though. The security could be overbearing. Photo-positions would change from day to day. The media buses were like a crazy rollercoaster ride. Yet for all the challenges we faced as the media; as the photographic press; we got our jobs done and witnessed and were part something truly special.
For my part working for CPSF France Paralypmique made for my best games ever. To be part of the delegation of the country I call home was a privilege and a real honour.
Obrigado Brazil!
Obrigrado et merci L'Equipe De France Paralympique!!
Loading ()...
-
27 imagesI don't think that anyone was under any illusions about racing a marathon in the sub-equatorial heat of Rio De Janeiro. You could see it was tough out there. Indeed so tough that notable athletes were dropping out of the race as a result! Still the spectators lined the streets of Copacabana and cheered the athletes on. As ever, the great tactician Marcel Hug stuck to the wheel of Kurt Fernley and between them they led the men's race to the finish line where Marcel took Paralympic Gold in a sprint to the finish line. France's Julian Casoli pulled out of the race early on, but Pierre Fairbank went on to finish, under the intense sun, in a respectable 9th place half way up the field of finishers. Interestingly the World Record Holder Heinz Frei was racing in Rio, too. His 17 year old record of 1hr20mins14secs still intact!! Heinz finished this race in 1hr40mins29secs..... very respectable considering he's 58 years old! -
63 imagesAs with the opening ceremony the closing ceremony was held at the Maracana Stadium. A stunning fireworks display kicked off an evening of music and partying. Heavy rain made itself present again (memories of the opening ceremony!) but this didn't dampen the party atmosphere. The Paralympic Flame was extinguished and the flag lowered and passed over to the Tokyo2020 delegation. We were then treated to a show of what we can expect to be part of in 4 years time in Japan. Stunning! Just like the opening ceremony we were dazzled with the energy, colours and sounds of Brazil. A fitting end to an incredible Paralympic Games. Obrigado Brazil!