China topped the medal table with 15 gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze medals, marking its best-ever performance at an overseas Winter Paralympics. Runner-up the United States won 13 golds, five silvers and six bronzes, followed by Russia in third with eight golds, one silver and three bronzes. Host Italy finished fourth with seven golds, seven silvers and two bronzes.

　　Para cross-country skier and biathlete Cai Jiayun and wheelchair curler Wang Meng served as China's flagbearers at the closing ceremony.

　　The 25-year-old Cai won China's first gold medal of the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics and finished with three para biathlon golds in total.

　　In wheelchair curling mixed doubles, a newly introduced event at the Winter Paralympics, the 37-year-old Wang and her teammate Yang Jinqiao, 24, won a historic gold for China.

　　"As the Paralympic flame is extinguished, the spirit it represents does not fade. It travels home with every athlete, every spectator, and every viewer, every one of them watching tonight inspired by these remarkable days," Parsons said.

　　The ceremony also revisited emotional moments from the Games and paid tribute to organizers, volunteers and all participants. The Paralympic flag was handed over to the hosts of the French Alps 2030 Winter Games.

　　"I call upon Paralympic athletes from all over the world to meet again in the French Alps in four years' time when, once again, Paralympic sport will transform the world," Parsons said.■

　　Flagbearers Cai Jiayun and Wang Meng of the delegation of China parade during the closing ceremony of Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)