Tokyo Japan, September 5, 2021: China topped the medal standings at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games which came to an end in the Japanese capital on Sunday, September 5.
Team China once again finished on top of the medal standings with 96 golds and 207 medals in total. Great Britain was second with 41 golds and USA third with 37.
During a colourful closing ceremony which included singing, dancing and a parade of nations, the Paralympic flag was formally passed on to Paris and accepted by the city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, in anticipation of hosting the 2024 Games.
“Together, against the odds, we did it,” said International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons during his closing ceremony speech.
“The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games have not just been historic – they have been fantastic.
“In 12 magical days, athletes gave the world confidence, happiness and hope. Athletes broke records, athletes won hearts, and athletes opened minds. Importantly, athletes changed lives,” Parsons added.
It was the fifth consecutive time that Team China dominated the Paralympics – it first topped the ranking in 2004 Athens with 63 gold.
China sent a delegation of 437, including athletes, coaches and support staff. The 251 athletes, 132 of whom were women, were amateurs from various backgrounds, including factory workers, college students and farmers.
Zhang Xuemei, a wheelchair basketball athlete, served as the flag bearer at the closing ceremony.
Host nation Japan finished 11th in the medal standings, with 13 gold medals and a total of 51.
A total of 4,403 athletes from 162 countries and regions competed in 539 events in 22 sports in Tokyo.
