Story Created: Feb 13, 2009 at 11:57 PM MDT
Story Updated: Feb 14, 2009 at 12:02 AM MDT
Thousands of athletes, coaches, volunteers and fans showed up at the Idaho Center to watch the closing ceremony Friday night.
Each of the teams lined up and entered the arena as their countries name was called.
Many of the athletes and the volunteers say they are said to see this week go.
"We got pretty close to a lot of them and they really loved it," said Krista Lyons, a volunteer for the games.
When asked what the favorite part of the week was, every athlete had a different answer.
"Skiing and stuff," said one team member from the U.S.
"Meeting all the other people from the countries," said another U.S. Athlete.
As part of the closing ceremony Tim Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics handed out a honorary gold medal to a athlete from Russia. The speed skater was in his second lap around the track when he fell and ruptured his Achilles tendon but still managed to finish his race.
"He did because he did not want to disappoint his team," said Shriver.
While the events are over and the teams are ready to head home many people say this is an experience they will never forget.
As part of the ceremony, the passing of the flag from Special Olympics was given to the host city for the next World Summer Games. Those games will be held in Athens, Greece in 2011.
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