‘We want to thank the volunteers for being so amazing’

For athletes, winning a medal was an obvious highlight. Wheelchair Basketball team member Brandon Wagner of Canada commented, ‘This was my first Games and it was an eye-opening experience. It was life altering and the pinnacle of my career.  It was overwhelming... it feels like we just got here. I have so many awesome memories that will last forever. Last night we beat Australia and became gold medallists. That was my highlight.’

For track athlete Johanna Pretorius of South Africa, the reception and treatment by volunteers made their Games. ‘We’ve been treated like royalty and we don’t want to go back to normal life. It’s been an amazing experience and we’re not ready for it to end. We want to thank the volunteers for being so amazing.’

‘Cheering for the team that was losing’

For young visitors to the Games, watching live sport was a revelation.

Nine-year-old Saba, visiting the Park, said: ‘I will remember all the sports I’ve seen and all the people working here. They’re all so nice and friendly and help you if you want something. When the Park opens again I really want to come here and play sport. I want to play tennis but I’m not very good!’

Seven-year-old Louise said: ‘I will remember how it was really fun to cheer people on, even when they were from another country. Everyone was cheering the players, even though you didn’t really know who they were. I liked cheering for the team that was losing because then they knew you were supporting them and they tried even harder.’

'If you can swim with no arms, you can do ANYTHING'

People have also been sharing personal highlights through Twitter, many focusing on individual athlete performances.
‏
For ‏@OlympicMcLovin the story of Haitian athlete Josue Cajuste story stood out. ‘Josue Cajuste in F42 throwing javelin 2 days after having prosthetic legs fitted moved me to tears.’

@asiansnax nominated ‘Maciej Lepiato of Poland jumping 2.12m with the roar of the 80,000-strong crowd behind him.’
‏
For @deansawyer the highlight was ‘Richard Whitehead storming from last to first for 200m gold. #IWasThere #ParalympicMemories’  

For others it was the opportunity to watch amazing athletes live. @cobartlett described his Paralympic memory as ‘being able to go to sport for such amazing prices. Being in the stadium for Johnny Peacock was v special.’

And the inspiration provided by the Games was the stand-out aspect for some. @StoriesForTots described her highlight: ‘My 4yo g/daughter, with CP [cerebral palsy], telling her school assembly "If you can swim with no arms, you can do ANYTHING!"

Tell us your #ParalympicMemories

Everyone has a favourite moment. What was yours? #ParalympicMemories