I expect this column to end with part 2 of Lassane Gasbeogo's story. A fine conclusion to the series, I believe. There is a general atmosphere of departure. Zhen Xiaozhen from the organization committee BOCOG has just signed the documents stating which materials were issued to athletes and what is available to the BOCOG for subsequent use. This means the workshop is practically closed.

While that seems easy to say, it is accompanied by powerful emotions for many of us here. Let's just put it this way: This workshop and the team of technicians was the very best Otto Bock could contribute to the success of the Paralympics.

Just now Joy, Gunter and I were somewhere in this seemingly limitless city, 30 minutes by taxi from the Paralympic Village. Yes, we were looking for souvenirs (dear Doro, I am very much looking forward to tomorrow; unfortunately it just so happens that all of the stores in Beijing are closed today ;-)).

We were really far too tired for shopping, since we happened to land in a disco last night along with some of the medal winners - although I don't know if they want me to identify them by name. Wearing their medals, they were of course stars on the dance floor as well. 

A disco in Beijing is really not much different from a disco in Berlin, Bombay or Barbados. Sure, there are some peculiarities. Since I know that older people are treated with extreme respect in China, it was with mixed feelings that I noted how others let me go first at the entrance to the disco.

I believe my gentle readers have now waited long enough for the wonderful second part of the story of Lassane Gasbeogo from Burkina Faso. Part 1 has already been told: Our technicians at the race course wondered about the vehicle the athlete intended to drive at the Paralympics. (Viktor Helfer: "There is no way the hand bike would have made it through another round.")

Part 2 starts out with an offer for help from the French, who made one of their hand bikes available to him for the race. This was observed by the athletes from the USA, who came up with a great idea. They plan to collect sports equipment and accessories in the USA. US coach James Lehman and the mechanic Chad Contreras were in the Otto Bock workshop today to meet the delegation from Burkina Faso, which only includes a single athlete - Lassane Gasbeogo, that is. "His family is incredibly proud of him, and has already sent congratulations by e-mail," says the leader of the mission Annick Lydie Pikbougoum. She works as a director for competitive sports in the national ministry for sports in Burkina Faso, and appears confident that the import of donated sports equipment will go smoothly. The material will be sent out with support from - point of honor - Otto Bock.

This story is significant for the farewell from Beijing since it illustrates the sustained impact these games can have - and hopefully will have. Next year at the hand bike world championships in Spain, the Americans will have a better-equipped competitor in Lassane Gasbeogo from Burkina Faso. "This is good for the sport, and it is a good thing that the sport has this kind of atmosphere," said James Lehman.  I cannot think of better closing words from Beijing.