LONDON —
The London Olympics drew to a close Sunday with a tribute to the best of British music from the last half century and a splash of comedy, beginning with a journey through a rush-hour day in the life of the capital and ending with the Olympic flag being handed over to 2016 host Rio de Janeiro.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, passed the flag from London Mayor Boris Johnson to Eduardo Paes, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, marking the first time the Olympics will be handed to South America.
“After 17 unforgettable days we are indebted to so many tonight,” Rogge said in his closing address. “The organizing committee, supported by the public authorities, did a superb job. You have shown the world the best of British hospitality.”
“These were happy and glorious Games,” he said as he declared the London Olympics closed.
Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London organizing committee, said, “Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city. We lit the flame and we lit up the world.”
“For the third time in its history London was granted the trust of the Olympic movement and once again we have shown ourselves worthy of that trust. And for that I want to say thank you.”
Big Ben chimed to start the finale and the resurrection of influential figures in British history was also at the center of a ceremony every bit as gripping, yet not quite as profound as the opening show two weeks ago.
An actor playing Winston Churchill, Britain’s prime minister on two occasions, appeared from the top of Big Ben, gesturing to the Royal Box, announcing the arrival of Prince Henry of Wales and Rogge.
The stadium then put on a giant street party as a nod toward the community-based events that have been held in honor of royal occasions since Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
Music has been one of Britain’s strongest cultural exports over the past 50 years and highlights included hits from The Spice Girls, singing “Spice Up Your Life” from the top of five brightly lit London taxis, Madness, George Michael and the Kaiser Chiefs performing “Who’s Pinball Wizard” in front of scooters in a scene from the cult movie Quadrophenia.
The last victory ceremony at the London Games — for the men’s marathon — was held with the medals being presented to winner Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda and Kenyans Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich.
As is customary for the closing ceremony, athletes from the 204 competing national teams entered the stadium en masse without distinction of nationality after flag bearers of all participating delegations emerged into the arena.
Saori Yoshida, who won her third consecutive women’s freestyle wrestling title, carried Japan’s flag into the stadium.
The Olympic Cauldron, made up of 204 copper petals — representing the IOC’s member nations — that folded to form a flower-like structure at the opening ceremony, was opened up again, and the flame on each petal was extinguished to mark the end of the Games. Each team was set to take home a petal.
A total of 302 events in 26 sports were held with Japan appearing in the Games a century after making its Olympic debut in Stockholm.
Japan fell short of its target of 15 gold medals but still managed a record overall haul of 38 medals, one better than eight years ago in Athens.
The United States, featuring in swansong swim king Michael Phelps who won his 18th gold medal, topped the medal standings with 46 golds, followed by China (38) and host Britain, the most successful Olympics for Team GB in 104 years with 29 golds.
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Fireworks soar over the Olympic Stadium during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Monday in London. The Associated PRess
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London Olympics finish with musical spectacular
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