Tokyo passed the Paralympic flag to Paris after Great Britain retained second place in the medal table at the end of the strangest Games in living memory.
Organisers no doubt breathed a collective sigh of relief that an event postponed by a year and set against the uncertain backdrop of a global pandemic passed without a major hitch.
For all of the coronavirus talk, tales of history, record-breaking triumph and tears quickly took centre stage.
Double gold winner Hannah Cockroft and sprint star Jonnie Peacock were among the British athletes to highlight the importance of crowds in keeping Para sport in the spotlight.
No one can possibly know what the world will look like by the time Paris comes around.
Yet, just before a rousing rendition of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World and the flame being extinguished on 12 enthralling days of action, IPC chief Parsons offered a defiant message of support.
"Tonight, see this not as a closing ceremony, but an opening to a bright and inclusive future," he said.
"As a wise athlete said so perfectly this week: 'People with disabilities should not have to do exceptional things to be accepted'."
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "The Games have underlined our national status as a powerhouse in disability sport, punching well above our weight on the global stage.
"Our paralympians represent the best of the UK in all its diversity. I hope they have inspired more disabled people to get active, and I encourage the public to join me in celebrating their success as they return home."
