Paralympic Games
London leaves its mark
LONDON — London's summer of sports was given a rousing send-off Sunday as Coldplay and an all-star cast brought the curtain down on the most-watched and best-attended Paralympic Games of all time, ending a six-week festival of sport that began with the Olympics.
Rapper Jay-Z and pop star Rihanna collaborated with the English rock band in a three-hour extravaganza at Olympic Stadium. The 11 days of competition might have shattered stereotypes and ensured disabled sports will never be seen in the same light.
"I think people are going to look back at this Paralympic Games and for the first time really, truly believe that Paralympic sport is not just inspirational, it's hard-core sport," said double amputee Oscar Pistorius, who competed in both Games.
More Paralympics
Wheelchair racer nabs fourth gold medal
In total, 251 world records were broken over the 11 days of the Paralympic Games, but for a star, look no further than British wheelchair racer David Weir.
The man nicknamed the "Weirwolf of London" became a household name in the host nation by winning the 800 meters, 1,500 and 5,000 meters.
And he completed his sweep of golds before the closing ceremony, timing his sprint finish to win the wheelchair marathon in 1 hour, 30 minutes, 20 seconds.
"It's just amazing; I am lost for words," said Weir, 33. "I knew I had to be in some sort of super-human state to win four gold medals, and I've done it."
It was Britain's 34th gold of the games, and it finished with 120 medals in total for third in the overall table behind China (231 medals, 95 golds) and Russia (102 medals, 36 golds). The United States, with the help of three St. Petersburg athletes, placed sixth with 98 medals and 31 gold. Swimmer Brad Snyder won two golds and one silver, while two-person keelboat sailors Jen French and JP Creignou won silver.
Et cetera
AAU: National Amateur Athletic Union president Louis Stout, who sought a "culture of safety" with the implementation of several reforms, died at age 73 in Lexington, Ky., the organization said. Mr. Stout had been in the hospital with an unspecified illness.
Cycling: Alberto Contador won his second Spanish Vuelta title, capturing a fifth victory at the sport's major races just over a month after his doping ban ended. He was 1 minute, 16 seconds up on Alejandro Valverde.
Soccer: John Terry will miss England's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Tuesday because of an ankle injury.
WNBA: Tina Charles scored 24 as host Connecticut beat Chicago 82-77. … Cappie Pondexter scored 21 and host New York rallied to beat Los Angeles 73-71. … Maya Moore had 18 points as host Minnesota beat San Antonio 81-62. … Lindsay Harding had 15 points in host Atlanta's 93-68 win over Washington.
Times wires
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