Shanghai Daily news

A warm and joyful ceremony last night concluded the 10-day 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, a farewell to 7,450 athletes and their coaches and families from 165 countries and regions.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu pronounced the Games closed. After the holy "Flame of Hope" was doused, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng handed over the Special Olympic flag 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.

Deng Pufang, director of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, and Dr Timothy Shriver, president of Special Olympics International, thanked the athletes, coaches and families, the Shanghai government and people and everyone who has contributed to the Games.

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

Deng said although this year's "Flame of Hope" has gone out, it will pass through the world forever.

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 relaxed performance 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 "Liang Zhu," or "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 intellectually-challenged people.