The Special Olympics flag is handed over from the 2007 World Games Organizing Committee to Jim Grossman, Chairman of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, to be held in Boise, Idaho (USA).

The Closing Ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games was a spectacular event, celebrating the 11 days of sports, friendship and spirit with Special Olympics athletes, families, coaches, volunteers and other supporters, coming together one last time to officially close the Games.

The 80-minute, world-class entertainment event, held at Jiangwan Stadium, featured renowned Spanish tenor Jose Carreras and performances by Italian soprano Maria Lucia, Danish pop band Michael Learns to Rock, American saxophone player Kenny G and Shanghai baritone Liao Changyong.

With the theme "Sunshine and Life," the Closing Ceremony offered a farewell party packed with displays by performers with intellectual disabilities and other guests from 164 nations.

Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver thanked the people of China for a spectacular World Games. "You not only gave us a great week, but you also gave us back our hope. To all the people of this nation and to all the leaders of the City of Shanghai: thank you for giving us the time of our lives."

"If the Opening Ceremony started like a dream, then let's fulfill it at the close," said Teng Junjie, the director general of the Closing Ceremony Committee. "We will write a full stop for the Games, and add an exclamation mark."

Fireworks lit the Shanghai sky on 11 October as almost 7,500 Special Olympics athletes celebrated the culmination of the 2007 World Summer Games.

The Closing Ceremony was divided into three chapters titled "Connection of Hearts," "Happy You and Me" and "Linger in Eternity," as well as a closing part called Sunshine Family.

The sunshine theme ran through the event as it corresponds to the Sunshine Homes set up across Shanghai to care for and offer vocational training to people with intellectual disabilities.

"Whether you are disabled or not, you can lead a happy life and contribute to a civilized and inclusive society," Teng said. "The Opening Ceremony focused on telling the story of cultures coming together. The Closing Ceremony was about bidding farewell and departing, as well as the friends we've made."

After more than a week of competition, it was time for celebration at the Closing Ceremony of the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai.

Shriver closed by exhorting the audience to take the spirit of the World Games with them and to help spread that spirit around the world. "Tomorrow is our next beginning. We must make each of our towns a host town everyday, every school, every business, every doctor's office, every neighborhood unified everyday. We must build a world of unified sports joy everyday and make all the world into fans of the differently abled heroes of Special Olympics! The time is now. We have seen the power, now we must spread the message."

Check out other 2007 World Games news.