Ernst van Dyk rounded off the Paralympics for South Africa on Wednesday with a bronze medal in the last event of the games when he finished third in the men's marathon T54.
Van Dyk, who won his first Paralympic gold last Sunday in the hand cycling road race, finished just a second behind gold medallist Kurt Fearnley of Australia in a final dash for the line.
Van Dyk, who is one of the world's best wheelchair marathoners with seven victories in the Boston Marathon to his credit, was thrilled with the bronze.
His medal lifted South Africa's haul to 30 for the games, with 21 golds, 3 silvers and 6 bronze -- the most successful Paralympics ever.
South Africa finished in sixth place on the medal table, sandwiched between Australia with 23 golds and Canada with 19.
The Paralympics flame was extinguished over the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium after a lavish closing ceremony today "Wednesday", ending a spectacular summer of sport in Beijing.
Countless red maple leaves symbolising respect for the athletes drifted from the stadium roof in the show to end the 12-day extravaganza, which followed the Olympic Games.
China dominated the medals table here with 89 golds and 211 medals overall, enjoying particular success in athletics, swimming and table tennis.
Britain, which chased China hard in the early part of the Games, finished with 42 golds and 102 medals, ahead of the United States in third place with 36 golds and 99 medals.
British organisers of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics have also praised the "spectacular" delivery of both events but promised an outstanding event of their own.
London Mayor Boris Johnson accepted the flag of the IPC on behalf of the city, which will host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
As the curtain dropped signaling the end of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, fans were left with a deep impression of an almost tangible "Letter to the Future," encompassing many hopes for the years to come.
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