Sunday, 12 August 2012

London says farewell to 2012 Olympics at closing ceremony

Out with a bang! London gathers for mammoth Games send off as thousands pack out Olympic Park for closing ceremony

PUBLISHED: 20:56, 12 August 2012 | UPDATED: 00:06, 13 August 2012

Seb Coe hailed the London 2012 Olympics a big success on Sunday and said thank you during the nation's final farewell to the Games.

Speaking with great pride during the closing ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, he said: 'On the first day of these Games I said we were determined to do it right. I said that these Games would see the best of us.

'On this last day I can conclude with these words: "When our time came - Britain we did it right. Thank you!"

Epic: An amazing firework display was set off the top of the Olympic Park

Enjoying it? The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were in Stratford for the ceremony

The London 2012 chairman, himself a two-time Olympic 1500m champion, recognised the athletes for their world-beating performances, but spoke movingly of how Britain had backed the Games.

Lord Coe said: 'Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city.

'We lit the flame and lit up the world.'

The success can be traced back to the people who built the stadiums and the Olympic Park from where was speaking that was once a disused and deprived district through to the organisers and the sports stars who put on a great show.

He told the packed crowd: "And thank you to the people of this country. The British people got behind London's bid and they got behind London's Games. Our opening ceremony proclaimed that these would be a Games for everyone. At our closing ceremony, we can say that these were a Games by everyone.

'London 2012 has played host to some incredible sport. To awe inspiring feats, that are the result of incredible dedication and skill by the world's great sports men and women.

'To all the Olympians who came to London to compete - thank you. Those of us who came to watch witnessed moments of heroism and heartbreak that will live long in the memory.

'You have our admiration and our congratulations.'

Sight for sore eyes: The Olympic Park was lit up for the closing ceremony

Sea of stars: The audience consisted of the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Lord Sebastian Coe

I'll tell you what I want... The Spice Girls arrived in black cabs before they sang together

Jessie J was joined by Tinie Tempah on stage as they performed with Fatboy Slim

Thousands of volunteers now have the right to carry the phrase `I made London 2012' with them as a badge of honour, according to Lord Coe.
London 2012 has had the backing of the International Olympic Committee 'every step of the way,' he noted.

It has all been part of 'two glorious weeks' which he believes can carry the Olympic spirit on and inspire a generation.

After London welcomed all 204 of the competing nations to the capital for what was undoubtedly one of the greatest Olympic Games in history, athletes, fans and celebrities assembled at the closing ceremony.

If the spectacular official opening ceremony of the Games - organised by Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle - was anything to go by, the close to the Games promises to be a show and a half.

London hosted an Olympics which saw Team GB win an unbelievable 29 gold medals, dwarfing the 19 won four years prior in Beijing, and those lucky enough to have tickets have filled the Olympic Park in Stratford to bid their farewell.

To celebrate the hosting of a hugely successful Olympiad, fans were treated to a feast for the eyes and ears, amongst the spectacles are internationally renowned girl band the Spice Girls.

A mock scene of the host city was set up in the middle of the stage - far removed from the countryside scene in Boyle's opener - and Big Ben chimed a countdown before the show got started.

Emeli Sande opened proceedings before a medley of musical performances - from the likes of Madness, the Pet Shop Boys, One Direction and Ray Davies - kicked the party off for the 80,000 strong audience.

Actor Timothy Spall appeared as Winston Churchill, and delivered an address to the crowd.

After the thunderous opener, the athletes came out in their droves, with Team GB flag-bearer Ben Ainslie leading out the vastly successful British athletes as Manchester band Elbow performed their anthemic songs Open Arms and One Day Like This.

Mobbed: Mo Farah and the Team GB athletes were applauded as they made their way round the arena

Wonderwall: Liam Gallagher hit the stage to play with band Beady Eye

After the athletes paraded, waving their flags, the men's marathon medal ceremony was undertaken in front of the audience - including Prince Harry, Lord Sebastian Coe and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Then there was more music for the crowd to get their teeth into. John Lennon's Imagine was played before George Michael took to the stage. After Michael was finished, the Kaiser Chiefs performed as lead singer Ricky Wilson was carried to the stage in a convoy of scooters.

After an homage to musician David Bowie and to the successes of British fashion across the years, Russell Brand performed a rendition of The Beatles's hit I Am The Walrus before Fatboy Slim hit the stage with Jessie J and Tinie Tempah.

The centrepiece of the evening came when a fleet of black cabs drove into the centre of the arena and the Spice Girls emerged. All five original members - Mel B, Mel C, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham - wowed the crowd.

As soon as the iconic girl band had finished Liam Gallagher belted out a version of Oasis classic Wonderwall with new band Beady Eye.

Rock legend Brian May played one of his iconic guitar solos before turning the tempo up when he performed Queen's We Will Rock You with Jessie J.

Meanwhile, UK Sport's leader hailed Britain's record-breaking Olympic medal haul as 'incredible' after the team finished in third place in the table.

Great Britain finished ahead of Russia for the first time ever with a total of 65 medals, including 29 golds, the best result since 1908.

There was a tribute to British fashion across the years

Emeli Sande opened the show before the athletes came out

A British military marching band performed at the beginning of the ceremony

Getting it going: One Direction hit the stage to start the party

UK Sport chair Sue Campbell said: 'For a nation the size of Great Britain to finish in third place at the Olympic games is incredible and without doubt one of the greatest sporting achievements in this country's history.

'We now have an elite sport system that is the envy of the world and I firmly believe it will continue to deliver at the highest level for many years to come thanks to the support of National Lottery and Government funding, which I am delighted to say is now secured for the Rio cycle.'

IOC president Jacques Rogge said: 'London was a dream for a sports lover, and I had stressed since the awarding of the Games in Singapore that we need home gold medals and that is so important for the mood of the general public.

'We had to wait two days but then it accelerated it has been fantastic.

'We are saying exactly the same for our Brazilian friends for Rio.'