Pride of Britain: Boris praises Team GB for 'inspiring a generation' - and beating France, Germany and Australia as Olympic parade in front of ONE MILLION Londoners ends a glorious summer of sport
- Potentially the biggest ever sporting victory parade in Britain
- 90 per cent of British medal winners among 750 athletes carried on 21 floats
- Mo Farah, who won gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, heptathlon gold medallist Ennis and long jump champion Greg Rutherford - were in the first three floats
- Entrance to the Mall was reserved for 14,000 ticket holders
- British Airways led a fly-past with the Red Arrows after receiving special permission to fly over The Mall
- Downing Street said PM David Cameron would send a letter of thanks to every one of the 80,000 volunteers
- He said the 'golden summer' would stay in the memories of the entire country in much the same way as the 1966 World Cup winning year
|
The words ‘Thank You’ flew noisily over the greatest assembly of British Olympians in history. Down below, up to a million people cheered and applauded – and performed the Mo Farah ‘mobot’.
London has generated many unforgettable images these last few weeks. Yesterday was right up there with the best of them.
And with that, the curtain finally fell on this astonishing, life-affirming summer which we will forever refer to, simply, as ‘2012’.
Last hurrah: More than a million people filled the streets of London as the heroes of Team GB and Paralympics GB, led by gold medallist Jessica Ennis, paraded through the capital
Britain's finest: Team GB and Paralympics GB line up at the end of the victory parade at Buckingham Palace with Prime Minister David Cameron, the Princess Royal and Mayor of London Boris Johnson at the front
Show-stealer: Boris Johnson, right, promised to keep it short as the hundreds of athletes behind him had been on floats all day waving their way through the capital and not allowed to 'touch a drop of beer'
Spectacular show: After receiving special permission to fly over The Mall the planes dazzled the spectators on the ground
Taking to the sky: The Royal Air Force's Red Arrows perform a fly-past over The Mall and Buckingham Palace
Dancing queen of the velodrome: Cyclist Victoria Pendleton takes a break from Strictly Come Dancing training to join the parade
For 100 days, London – and, by extension, the whole country - has lived in a bunting-draped cocoon of exuberance.
And this historic three-month party finished just as it began – with a colossal parade through London and a foot-stomping party in front of Buckingham Palace.
At least yesterday’s parade had the advantage of being drier and warmer than the great Diamond Jubilee procession along the Thames way back in monsoon June.
But the crowds were of the same bewildering size, shoehorning themselves into every crevice on every pavement from the City of London to the Mall.
And so, too, were the twin sentiments which brought the capital to a euphoric halt once again: a profound sense of pride and an earnest determination not to miss out on a Great Moment.
We have had so many eye-popping theatrical extravaganzas over the last three months with all those open-air concerts, opening ceremonies and closing shows; we have seen more fireworks than a Cantonese pyrotechnics inspector.
Famous landmarks: The Royal Air Force Red Arrows aerobatic display team fly past the Shard over London as a tribute to the Team GB Olympic and Paralympic athletes
Royal fly-by: A British Airways Airbus aircraft flies over the Queen Victoria Memorial at Buckingham Palace
The fly-past completes the parade with a huge 'Thank you' on the underbelly of the plane
Audience participation: The crowd perform the 'Mobot' with Mo Farah
Double take: The original and best Mo Farah does the Mobot, left, and Princess Anne has go too to the delight of Boris Johnson
Strike a pose: They also did Mo Farah's famous pose when he wins an event - the 'Mobot'
Yesterday was a much simpler – and cheaper – affair with a very straightforward theme: stick 800 sporting heroes on a convoy of lorries and drive them through the city in the confident expectation that a lot of people might like to see them.
This was an occasion that owed more to the late Eddie Stobart than Danny Boyle. It was probably just as well that the authorities had chosen a school day in the working week for this event. However much it may have irritated the millions of workers and children who couldn’t make it, there really wasn’t room for so much as an extra coachload.
It was lunch hour in the City as the parade began its business with a royal fanfare at Mansion House. The bankers were certainly out in force. If your share portfolio took a dip yesterday, blame Seb Coe.
It is safe to say that the State Trumpeters of the Household Division have seldom been invited to herald a fleet of articulated trucks. The 21-vehicle convoy had been arranged alphabetically by sport, led by archery and athletics.
The parade at Queen Victoria Memorial, Green Park, with David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Princess Anne make speeches
The National Gallery: Thousands of people line the streets during the London 2012 Victory Parade for Team GB and Paralympic GB
Floats carrying Team GB and Paralympic GB athletes travel past Trafalgar Square
There was no mistaking the impish figure commanding whoops of recognition on Float Number One. As soon as anyone spotted Mo Farah, their instinctive response was to ‘do the Mobot’ and replicate the great man’s trademark hands-on-head victory routine.
He happily responded in kind – over and over again. If it has started to grate, the infectiously good-natured Farah didn’t let it show.
When you have acquired two gold medals, two daughters and global renown in the space of a month, what’s a couple of hours of repetitive head scratching? The poor man was still cheerfully doing the Mobot as his juggernaut finally halted at the Queen’s front door shortly before teatime.
There was no order of precedence on each float. Olympians and Paralympians, medallists and wooden spooners, mingled and snapped away and egged each other on.
There were plenty of wisecracks and jokers in the crowd. Diving’s Tom Daley and the gold-winning long jumper, Greg Rutherford, were both on the receiving end of several marriage proposals.
From St Paul’s to Fleet Street to the Strand, the crowds showed little inclination to move on once the convoy had passed and the Band of the Royal Marines had brought up the rear.
The crowd wave as the parade makes its way through London, celebrating Britain's Olympic and Paralympic sporting heroes
The Red Arrows flying down the Mall to the Queen Victoria Memorial during Our Greatest Team parade
These athletes were like the credits rolling at the end of some great blockbuster. You didn’t want it to end. You didn’t want the lights to come up.
A recurring sight was of athletes filming us filming them, banks of mobile phones and cameras all blazing away in opposite directions.
This lot may have acquired celebrity status but most remain refreshingly oblivious of celebrity etiquette.
Another endearing sight was that of the mounted members of the Metropolitan Police high-fiving the crowds. Despite the hefty numbers, this event was a doddle for the cops.
The crowds were beautifully behaved, as were the athletes. There was no repeat of the 2005 Ashes Victory Parade when some of England’s cricketers were staggering around with beer bottles.
No one looked as if they had been out on the town all night, even though some Paralympians had only grabbed a few hours’ kip following Sunday night’s closing ceremony.
Downing Street announced that Prime Minister David Cameron would send a letter of thanks to every one of the 80,000 volunteers to thank them for their dedication.
Fans hold placards as Britain's Olympic and Paralympic athletes participate in the victory parade
David Cameron talks with Ellie Simmonds before the Athletes Victory parade in London
Royal appeal: Zara Phillips, who won a silver medal in the team eventing, waved to fans from a float carrying the equestrian teams. She said the parade was: 'Unbelievable, to think that everyone's come out for all of us'
Crowd pleaser: Mo Farah does his famous pose the 'Mobot'
SALUTE TO THE VOLUNTEER ARMY: LONDON 2012 GAMES MAKERS RELAX AND BASK IN GRATITUDE OF A NATION
For weeks they have played second fiddle to the athletes and the spectators, so the volunteers could be forgiven for having a celebration of their own yesterday – copying Usain Bolt’s familiar pose as they waited for the victory parade to begin.
The parade itself was a chance for the London 2012 Games Makers to relax and bask in the gratitude of the nation.
As Sue Daley, one of the 70,000 who have been pivotal to the smooth running of the Olympic and Paralympics, said as she lined up in Trafalgar Square: ‘Atlast we can relax, it is our day to join in the fun.’
Some were given prime positions in the Mall and some joined the procession – where they were cheered and thanked by the crowds.
David Cameron, Boris Johnson, London 2012 officials and athletes all paid tribute to the volunteers.
Mr Cameron is to write to each volunteer to thank them for their role in ‘inspiring’ Britain.
Mr Cameron is to write to each volunteer to thank them for their role in ‘inspiring’ Britain.
In his letter he says: ‘To see tens of thousands of people giving up their time…has been truly inspiring…you have put a smile on the nation’s face.’
He predicted that the 'magical summer' of Olympic and Paralympic triumph would stay in the memories of the entire country in much the same way as the 1966 World Cup winning year.
'At the end of the most unbelievably successful Olympics and Paralympics, I just want to say what a golden summer of British sport and what a golden summer it has been for our country,' the Prime Minister said.
As every athlete acknowledged afterwards, it was when the parade reached Trafalgar Square that the enormity of the occasion sank in.
You could see them all mouthing one word as they took in the view around Nelson’s Column: ‘Wow’.
No one seemed too bothered as the official schedule fell apart.
The idea was for all the athletes to line up in front of Buckingham Palace in time for a mighty flypast. But the lorries had slowed to crawling speed in the Mall and many athletes were still on board as everyone looked to the sky.
Cheered on: People cheer from a balcony festooned with flags and a banner saying 'So Proud' as floats pass by
Everyone wants to join in! City workers look out of windows as the parade makes its way through London
Patriotic: Thousands of Londoners turn out to cheer on Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they travel on floats during 'Our Greatest Team' parade
Medal haul: British swimmers David Carry (L) and Rebecca Adlington (R) were on the floats as well as gold medal winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton
Sea of people: Rebecca Adlington posted this photo on her Twitter page as a sea of crowds greeted the athletes
Royal ride: Diver Tom Daley joins three-day event star and Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips, left, and, right, Paralympic swimming sensation Ellie Simmonds, 17, gives a wave
No rain on this parade: Red and blue lions also made their way through the streets of London
Olympic fans crowd the streets on The Mall trying to catch a glimpse of the athletes
'Our Greatest Team' parade passes by Trafalgar Square in central London as thousands of fans wave flags in celebration
Saddle star: Cyclist Laura Trott celebrates her golden glory in the team pursuit and omnium
Packed house: Members of the public wave to the athletes from the top of phone boxes crowds spill out of the streets on to the pavement
Well-deserved applause: Quadruple gold medal winning Paralympian David Weir shows his medals on top of a float
Floats carrying British Olympic and Paralympic athletes take part in a parade as seen from the air as they pass Trafalgar Square, London
Winners: Edward and Jonathan Brownlee. Speaking from his float, triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee said: 'It's amazing that so many people were interested'
Team GB discus thrower Lawrence Okoye, left, and Long jumper Greg Rutherford holds his gold medal as his float passes St Paul's Cathedral
Happy ending: Paralympic cyclist Sarah Storey with her four golds. She was on the float with her husband Barney, also a gold medallist
First over was a British Airways airliner with ‘Thank You’ imprinted on its underbelly. What a British way to round off this lively episode in our modern history. Yesterday was an occasion when everyone was so busy thanking everyone else that I never once heard a single voice say: ‘It’s a pleasure.’
The organisers could not resist one last showbiz act, although it was hardly needed. The Pet Shop Boys were wheeled out to serenade the athletes as they lined up on the memorial.
They may be a great British band but we did see them at the Olympic closing ceremony the other day. Could we not, just this once, have allowed the Brigade of Guards to take centre stage?
The athletes dutifully stood through a couple of Pet Shop Boys’ hits, wondering whether to dance or stand to attention. With everyone in their Team GB uniforms, it looked as if a couple of pranksters had invaded the school photograph.
The Prime Minister finally led the official delegation on stage to reflect on ‘a golden summer’. Remarking that his own children, like everyone else’s, now aspire to Olympic greatness, he declared: ‘We salute your brilliance.’
The Princess Royal – who has been a quiet pillar of these Games as a member of the International Olympic Committee, president of the British Olympic Association, a former athlete and the mother of a silver medallist – looked back proudly on the mammoth undertaking of winning, preparing and then staging these Games.
Gold bus: Chris Hoy (left), Dani King and Victoria Pendleton during the parade
Saluting a hero: Cheers for ex soldier and bomb victim turned discus star Derek Derenalagi, left, and Track cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy shows off his two gold medals
Happy to be there: Nicola Adams and Anthony Joshua smile as they wave at the crowds
Famous faces: A flatbed truck transporting members of Britain's Olympic and Paralympic teams travels past well wishers
And Boris Johnson congratulated the entire caboodle – right down to those benighted G4S security staff and the transport workers who were threatening him with a strike only the other day. He praised the Games for delivering up a scene as rare as a yeti: two strangers actually talking to each other on the Tube.
Afterwards, he told me, simply: ‘These Games have been the best thing I’ve been involved in in my life’. He also urged bosses and head teachers to go easy on those who had skived off to be here. ‘Indulge them this once,’ he pleaded.
As the athletes drifted away, I caught up with a few of those who will forever be associated with the summer of 2012. How have their lives changed? ‘It’s lovely but I have to factor in about an hour to go down to the shops for a pint of milk because everyone wants a chat,’ smiled Greg Rutherford.
Jessica Ennis concurred. ‘I do a lot more online shopping now,’ she joked. All had been touched beyond words by yesterday’s scenes. The Olympic ‘magic’ holds fast.
What a summer. What a finale. And what the hell do we do for an encore?
Double gold medallist Hannah Cockcroft waves to the crowds and right the parade passes along Fleet Street on the way to the Mall
Union pack: Spectators cram into Trafalgar Square to catch a glimpse of Britain's finest athletes
Olympic effort: Fans outside Mansion House have turned out to show their appreciation for the effort of Team GB
Front-row seats: These two ladies made sure they were early enough to get a great view
Katherine Jenkins sings the National Anthem at the celebrations outside Buckingham Palace
The Pet Shop Boy's Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe perform during the Olympics & Paralympics parade
Protection: These stunning pictures gives an insight into the awesome military power held by the Royal Navy during the Olympics. HMS Bulwark was stationed off the coast of Weymouth where the Olympics and Paralympics sailing was taking place
Control: The Plymouth-based amphibious command and control ship was supporting Dorset Police in security across 50 square miles of coastline at the Weymouth Bay and Portland
In the Olympics Great Britain finished third in the overall medals table - one place better than hoped. Right, the breakdown of which sports brought in the medals
In the Paralympics Great Britain finished third in the overall medals table. Right, the breakdown of which sports brought in the medals
GOLD MEDAL COUNT OF OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS
The total of 65 medals, including 29 golds, is the best tally recorded by Britain at any Olympics since 1908. This summer Team GB gained 18 medals than won in Beijing four years ago.
Winner: Britain's Mo Farah kisses his jersey
ANTHONY JOSHUA - BOXING - MEN'S SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT (+91KG)
LUKE CAMPBELL - BOXING - MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (56 KG)
MO FARAH - MEN'S 5,000M
ED MCKEEVER - CANOE SPRINT - 200m MEN'S SINGLE KAYAK
JADE JONES - TAEKWONDO - WOMEN'S -57KG
NICOLA ADAMS - BOXING - WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (51KG)
CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN - EQUESTRIAN - INDIVIDUAL DRESSAGE
SIR CHRIS HOY - CYCLING - MEN'S KEIRIN
LAURA TROTT - CYCLING - WOMEN'S OMNIUM
LAURA BECHTOLSHEIMER, CARL HESTER AND CHARLOTTE DUJARDI - EQUESTRIAN - TEAM DRESSAGE
ALISTAIR BROWNLEE - MEN'S TRIATHLON
JASON KENNY - CYCLING - MEN'S SPRINT
NICK SKELTON, BEN MAHER AND SCOTT BRASH - PETER CHARLES
EQUESTRIAN - MEN'S TEAM SHOWJUMPING
ANDY MURRAY - TENNIS - MEN'S SINGLES
BEN AINSLIE - SAILING - MEN'S FINN
MO FARAH - MEN'S 10,000M
GREG RUTHERFORD - MEN'S LONG JUMP
JESSICA ENNIS - WOMEN'S HEPTATHLON
LAURA TROTT, DANI KING AND JOANNA ROWSELL - CYCLING - WOMEN'S TEAM PURSUIT
KATHERINE COPELAND AND SOPHIE HOSKING - ROWING - WOMEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT DOUBLE SCULLS
ANDY TRIGGS, HODGE, PETE REED, ALEX GREGORY AND TOM JAMES - ROWING - MEN'S COXLESS FOURS
VICTORIA PENDLETON - CYCLING - WOMEN'S KEIRIN
STEVEN BURKE, ED CLANCY, GERAINT THOMAS AND PETER KENNAUGH - CYCLING - MEN'S TEAM PURSUIT SPRINT
KATHERINE GRAINGER AND ANNA WATKINS - ROWING - WOMEN'S DOUBLE SCULLS
CHRIS HOY - PHILIP HINDES - JASON KENNY - CYCLING - MEN'S TEAM SPRINT
PETER WILSON - SHOOTING - MEN'S DOUBLE TRAP
TIM BAILLIE - ETIENNE STOTT - CANOE SLALOM - MEN'S C2
BRADLEY WIGGINS - CYCLING - ROAD - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL
HELEN GLOVER - HEATHER STANNING - ROWING - WOMEN'S PAIR
PARALYMPIC GOLD MEDALS
Proud: Sarah Storey poses with her gold medal
In the Paralympics Great Britain finished third in the overall medals table with 34 gold medals.
DAVID WEIR - ATHLETICS - MEN'S MARATHON T54
DAVID STONE - CYCLING - MIXED T1-2 ROAD RACE
JOSIE PEARSON - ATHLETICS - WOMEN'S DISCUS THROW F51/52/53
JONNIE PEACOCK - ATHLETICS - MEN'S 100M T44
DAVID WEIR - ATHLETICS - MEN'S 800M T54
HANNAH COCKROFT - ATHLETICS - WOMEN'S 200M T34
JOSEF CRAIG - SWIMMING - MEN'S 400M FREESTYLE S7
SARAH STOREY - CYCLING - WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL C5 TIME TRIAL
HELENA LUCAS - SAILING - ONE-PERSON KEELBOAT
SARAH STOREY - CYCLING - WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL C5 TIME TRIAL
OLIVER HYND - SWIMMING - MEN'S 200M INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY - SM8
DAVID WEIR - ATHLETICS - MEN'S 1500m T54
SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN - EQUESTRIAN - INDIVIDUAL FREESTYLE TEST GRADE
DANIELLE BROWN - ARCHERY - WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL COMPOUND - OPEN
HEATHER FREDERIKSEN - WOMEN'S 100M BACKSTROKE - S8
MICKEY BUSHELL - ATHLETICS - MEN'S 100M T53
ELLIE SIMMONDS - SWIMMING - WOMEN'S 200M INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY SM6
NATASHA BAKER - EQUESTRIAN - INDIVIDUAL FREESTYLE TEST GRADE II
DAVID WEIR - ATHLETICS - MEN'S 5000M T54
SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN - EQUESTRIAN - INDIVIDUAL DRESSAGE
JESSICA-JANE APPLEGATE - SWIMMING - WOMEN'S 200M FREESTYLE S14
DAVID SMITH, JAMES ROE. NAOMI RICHES, PAM RELPH, AND LILY VAN DE BROECKE - ROWING - MIXED COXED FOUR LTAMix+
ANTHONY KAPPES & CRAIG MACLEAN - CYCLING - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL B SPRINT
ALED DAVIES - ATHLETICS - MEN'S DISCUS F42
ELLIE SIMMONDS - SWIMMING - WOMEN'S 400m FREESTYLE - S6
SARAH STOREY - CYCLING - WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL C4-5 500M TIME TRIAL
NATASHA BAKER - EQUESTRIAN - INDIVIDUAL GRADE II
DEB CRIDDLE, LEE PEARSON, SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN AND SOPHIE WELLS - EQUESTRIAN - TEAM DRESSAGE
RICHARD WHITEHEAD - ATHLETICS - MEN'S 200M T42
NEIL FACHIE & BARNEY STOREY - CYCLING - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL B 1KM TIME TRIAL
MARK COLBOURNE - CYCLING - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL C1 3KM PURSUIT
SARAH STOREY - CYCLING - WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL C5 PURSUIT
JONATHAN FOX - SWIMMING - MEN'S 100M BACKSTROKE S7
HANNAH COCKROFT - ATHLETICS - WOMEN'S 100M T34
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2200820/Olympic-parade--Boris-praises-Team-GB-inspiring-generation--beating-France-Germany-Australia-Olympic-parade-ONE-MILLION-Londoners-ends-glorious-summer-sport.html#ixzz269lb7V94