The closing ceremony of the global sports competition for physically-challenged athletes was held at the Olympic Stadium of Athens Wednesday, wrapping up its 12-day run.
South Korea ranked 16th at the final medal tally with 11 golds, 11 silvers and 6 bronze medals at the 12th Paralympic Games. 123 players from Seoul participated in 13 sport events.
At the closing ceremony, an award named after Vice Chairman Hwang Yeon-dae of the Korea Welfare Promotion Association for the Disabled, was granted to a German and South African player.
The award was first adopted this year to commemorate Hwang's 30-year efforts exerted for the welfare of disabled neighbors, overcoming his own sufferings of polio in his childhood.
The next Paralympic Games will take place in Beijing in 2008.