CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy - The Milan Cortina Winter Paralympic Games ended Sunday, bringing down the curtain on an event that demonstrated sporting excellence amid political tensions.

The "Italian Souvenir" closing ceremony at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, built for the town's 1956 Winter Olympics, had light-show dances using crutches and wheelchairs, with artist Arisa singing the Italian national anthem.

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