The city last night farewelled the 7,450 athletes and their coaches and families who attended the 10-day Special Olympics World Summer Games.

As the curtain came down at a glittering closing ceremony at the 70-year-old Jiangwan Stadium, Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver declared the Shanghai Games the best in history.

The Games had set an example for other developing nations to follow in their development of Special Olympics, he said.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu pronounced the Games closed.

After the "Flame of Hope" was doused, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng handed over the Special Olympics flags to Boise, Idaho, in the United States, which will host the 2009 World Winter Games, and Athens, Greece, host of the 2011 World Summer Games.

Shriver and Deng Pufang, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, thanked the athletes, coaches and families, the Shanghai government and people and everyone who contributed to the Games.

"You have not only given us Games, but also given us hope," said Shriver.

Jessica Crook, an American Special Olympics athlete, said she had a great time in the city.

"Whether the athletes won gold medals or not, they have had the best time of their life," she said. "I hope people around the world feel the power of the Special Olympics."

With the theme "Sunshine, Life," the closing ceremony combined traditional Chinese and modern elements.

One of "the Three Tenors," Jose Carreras from Spain, sang "Friends Forever" with Chinese soprano Liu Lian.

American saxophone player Kenny G played the well-known Chinese music "the Butterfly Lovers."

People with intellectual disabilities had numerous roles on the stage.

Before the ceremony began, 60 mentally challenged people and 200 volunteers built a wooden stage 50 meters long and 30 meters wide in front of the audience in three-and-a-half minutes.

The action symbolized the blending of people with intellectual disabilities and other people to create a harmonious world.

On the left side of the stage, a "Sunshine hut" was built, on which were inscribed the signatures of more than 7,000 Special Olympics athletes.

The "hut" is a token of the "Sunshine Homes" project for people with intellectual disabilities.

Athletes from 164 countries and regions participated in Games competitions.

A total of 13,500 medals (4,500 gold, 4,500 sliver and 4,500 bronze) were awarded, apart from more than 8,000 ribbons for athletes ranked fourth to eighth in competition.

Participants in the Motor Activities Training Program, which is a demonstration event, all received a Challenge Award.

More than 300,000 spectators attended the events.

(Shanghai Daily October 12, 2007)