Three Special Olympics Chinese swimmers, (from left) Luo Xiaochun, Wu Weibin and Huang Yinpei, show their gold medals to media. The 2015 Los Angeles World Special Olympics Games came to a close in Los Angeles on August 2. Athletes from the Chinese mainland netted 83 gold, 52 silver and 29 bronze medals during the Games. Photo: Yu Yan

Thousands of athletes, volunteers and spectators said goodbye to Los Angeles on August 2 in a festive closing ceremony for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.

Athletes from the Chinese Delegation has won 83 gold medals, 52 silver medals and 29 bronze medals. Chinese athletes, also including those from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao, all together received 205 gold medals in the Games.

About 7,000 athletes took part in contests ranging from weightlifting to soccer. Although not everyone won gold, silver or bronze medals, every competitor received a performance ribbon and a chance to take to the victory stand following their competition. An estimated 500,000 people turned out to watch at venues in and around Los Angeles, said the Associated Press.

"We are truly blessed to have had the opportunity to gather over the past nine days of the Games to watch the world 'Reach Up' for this momentous occasion," said Patrick McClenahan, president and CEO for LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee, at the closing ceremony.

"These Games have been life-changing and we hope that this will only be a spark that will light the world on fire with the enthusiasm, courage, and acceptance and inclusion for all people with intellectual disabilities," said McClenahan, as the official website of Special Olympics reported.

AP said that the colorful Special Olympics flag was lowered and presented to a delegation from Austria, where the Winter Games will be held in 2017. A five-minute video showed highlights of the competitions and a flame that was lit in the Coliseum cauldron at the game opening was extinguished.

Competitions were held in 25 sports, including weightlifting, horseback riding, swimming, cycling and soccer. Organizers say this year's Special Olympics will be the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world in 2015, said AP.