Paralympics ceremony canceled after collision

From Staff And Wire Reports

September 28, 2004

The festive segment of the Paralympics closing ceremony was canceled yesterday in Athens after seven high school students were killed when their bus collided with a truck on the way to the games.

Instead of a party atmosphere at today's event, International Paralympic Committee president Phil Craven will make a speech, athletes will enter the stadium and the games' flag will be handed over to Beijing officials, the organizers of the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics. Then the flame will be extinguished.

The United States tied Canada for third in gold medals with 27 and finished fourth in the overall medal count with 88.

Swimmer Jessica Long, at 12 the youngest American competing at the Paralympics, won a gold medal Sept. 20 in the 100-meter freestyle (S8). The Dundalk girl won another gold two days later in the 400 freestyle relay. Long won her final gold Friday in the 400 freestyle (S8).

Track team member Tatyana McFadden of Clarksville won a silver medal last Tuesday in the 100-meter (T54) and yesterday took the bronze at 200 meters.

In wheelchair basketball, the U.S. women's team defeated Australia, 56-44. Reserve Susan Katz of Silver Spring played 72 minutes over six games, collecting 10 points and 17 rebounds and making all four of her free throws.

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