In total, 1,500 para-athletes from 24 countries took part in the Games, with nine world records smashed, as well as 61 Americas records and 187 Parapans records.

Brazil finished top of the medals table at the Games, winning 81 gold, 61 silver and 55 bronze.

The USA came second with 51 gold, just one ahead of the hosts, Mexico (50), followed by Cuba in fourth (27), then Argentina (19), Colombia (18), Venezuela (16), Canada (13), Jamaica (1) and Chile (1).

The medal presentation for the T54 marathon formed part of the ceremony with a parade, as well of the artwork of Mexican visual artist Sergio Bustamante.

Octavio Londoño, the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) President, paid tribute to those taking part in the Games, saying: "On behalf of the Paralympic family, and especially on behalf of the athletes, thank you for this, our achievement.

"We experienced fifteen days of hospitality and eight days of tough competitions and we have lived the ideal of social inclusion.

"Those of us who are leaving are no longer the same we were when we arrived to this kind and beautiful city.

"Today, we are better human beings.

"The world view of the people of Guadalajara has been nourished with new knowledge.

"Today, we know that in Guadalajara there are no barriers, no exclusion and no incapable human being.

"Whether it is in our imagination, in the Mexican society or in the rest of the Americas, we all have value, dignity, abilities, and talents."

The Parapan Games received more airtime on television than ever before, with unprecedented social media coverage.

In his closing address, Londoño looked forward to the next Parapan Games, in Toronto 2015, as well as the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games.

"I would like to acknowledge another great champion of the Paralympic spirit:  the spectators, citizens, and children who cheered for the athletes.

"Thanks to the American continent, land of rich diversity where "even though we are all different, the same sun shines on all of us.

"Thank you Guadalajara, an unforgettable, generous, and inclusive city.

"Today we hand over this testimonial to Toronto, host city of the fifth Parapan American Games 2015.

"In four years, you will once again inspire and excite the world through your excellence in sports."

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