Paralympic Games Conclude with a Spectacular Parisian Dance Party and Historic World Records

PARIS, France — The Paralympic Games concluded on Sunday, showcasing remarkable athleticism and two world records during a vibrant closing ceremony centered around French electronic music.

At the Stade de France, Jean-Michel Jarre energized the crowd, inspiring athletes, volunteers, and spectators alike. Moroccan athlete Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi broke the world record in the women’s marathon for visually impaired runners, clocking in at 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 36 seconds. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by Japan’s Misato Michishita by nearly six minutes.

El Idrissi stated, “I wasn’t running for a time, only for a medal,” highlighting her focus on victory. Her compatriot, Meryem En-Nourhi, finished significantly behind, followed by Michishita who learned of her upgraded bronze medal status while on her way to doping control.

Tunisia’s Wajdi Boukhili captured the men’s T12 marathon title with a finish of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 5 seconds. In wheelchair racing, Swiss athletes Catherine Debrunner and Marcel Hug triumphed in their respective marathons for the T53/54 categories. American Tatyana McFadden, a standout in wheelchair racing, finished seventh in her event but secured medals in the 100m and 4×100 relay.

British racer David Weir announced his retirement at age 45 after a fifth-place finish, marking the end of a storied Paralympic career featuring six golds, including four at the 2012 London Games. He plans to continue competing in individual races.

In a moment of reflection, the crowd honored Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically lost her life in an incident classified by police as domestic violence. Image tributes of her celebrating in the marathon were displayed, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo expressed intentions to name a sports venue in her memory.

The Netherlands’ women’s wheelchair basketball team successfully defended their gold medal against the United States, winning 63-49. Bo Kramer and Mariska Beijer were instrumental in the victory. While the U.S. team expressed disappointment, player Rose Hollermann remained optimistic about their future potential.

In para powerlifting, Nigeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiayo added to her legacy, breaking her own world record by bench-pressing 167 kilograms. Iran’s Ahmad Aminzadeh won the men’s final for athletes over 107kg, lifting 263 kilograms.

Overall, China dominated the medal table with a remarkable 94 gold medals out of a total of 220, followed by Great Britain with 49 golds and the U.S. with 36. The host nation, France, concluded the games in eighth place, securing 19 golds among its 75 medals.