This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19236754#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
London 2012 Olympics close with spectacular ceremony London 2012 Olympics close with spectacular ceremony
(40 minutes later)
The London 2012 Olympics have ended with a spectacular musical closing ceremony and the official handover to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro.The London 2012 Olympics have ended with a spectacular musical closing ceremony and the official handover to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro.
The packed show featured some of the biggest names of British pop from decades past, including the Spice Girls, George Michael and Elbow. The three-hour show featured some of the biggest names of British pop from decades past, including the Spice Girls, George Michael and Elbow.
The official Games flag was handed to the mayor of Rio before the flame at the Olympic Stadium was extinguished.
Games chief Lord Coe said: "When our time came - Britain, we did it right."Games chief Lord Coe said: "When our time came - Britain, we did it right."
Mr Rogge, who declared the Games of the 30th Olympiad closed, said amid cheers: "We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the much-needed heroes of these Games. The official Games flag was handed to the mayor of Rio before the flame at the Olympic Stadium was extinguished.
President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, who declared the Games of the 30th Olympiad closed just before midnight, said: "We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the much-needed heroes of these Games.
"You, the spectators and the public, provided the soundtrack for these Games."You, the spectators and the public, provided the soundtrack for these Games.
"Your enthusiastic cheers energised its competitors and brought a festive spirit to every Olympic venue.""Your enthusiastic cheers energised its competitors and brought a festive spirit to every Olympic venue."
At the close of the ceremony, watched in the stadium by the athletes and 80,000 spectators, the 204 petals of the Olympic cauldron descended to ground level and the flame was extinguished in dramatic fashion. Best of British
As spectacular fireworks went off above the stadium, the Who performed My Generation and the venue became a sea of red, white and blue. At the close of the ceremony, watched in the stadium by the 10,000 athletes and 80,000 spectators, the flame was extinguished in dramatic fashion. Each nation will receive one of the cauldron's 204 petals.
Earlier, as part of the ceremonial handover, the Olympic flag was lowered and it was handed from London Mayor Boris Johnson to Games president Jacques Rogge. As fireworks went off above the east London stadium, the Who performed My Generation and the venue became a sea of red, white and blue confetti.
After Mr Rogge presented the flag to the mayor of Rio Eduardo Paes, the Brazilian national anthem, rang out, and the stadium was transformed into the green and yellow colours of Brazil. The finale, which began with Big Ben chiming, paid tribute to UK music, fashion and culture.
The handover was followed by a segment celebrating Rio's mix of cultures, music and dance, bringing a carnival atmosphere to the proceedings and culminating in Brazilian footballer Pele appearing on stage.
Take That then sang their hit Rule the World. It had been thought they would not appear after Gary Barlow's child was stillborn last week.
As the band performed, ballerina Darcey Bussell appeared to fly down into the arena on top of a flaming phoenix to join the performers from Rio and lead them in a procession.
Musical celebration
During the show the Spice Girls sang Spice Up Your Life from the top of five brightly lit London taxis. Other stars to perform included Liam Gallagher, George Michael and Jessie J.
Big Ben chimed at 21:00 BST to start the finale, as a spectacular cityscape in the shape of a union jack was unveiled.
Silence descended as a fanfare from the Household Division Ceremonial State Band announced the arrival of Prince Harry, who is at the ceremony in place of the Queen, and Mr Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee.
The crowd was led in a resounding version of the national anthem, and the union jack was carried into the stadium and raised by representatives of the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
For a while yet, the British public can forget their Olympics are coming to an end - the light of the closing ceremony can take the edge off any sadness.For a while yet, the British public can forget their Olympics are coming to an end - the light of the closing ceremony can take the edge off any sadness.
Artistic director Kim Gavin billed this as an unashamed after-show party. And it has been a pure and fairly straightforward celebration of the last 50 years of pop, with Elgar and Russell Brand thrown in.Artistic director Kim Gavin billed this as an unashamed after-show party. And it has been a pure and fairly straightforward celebration of the last 50 years of pop, with Elgar and Russell Brand thrown in.
Unlike the opening ceremony, it doesn't have to set any scene or make any statement for a coming event. So why not roll out some of the top acts - from Annie Lennox to One Direction, Spices added.Unlike the opening ceremony, it doesn't have to set any scene or make any statement for a coming event. So why not roll out some of the top acts - from Annie Lennox to One Direction, Spices added.
All in the presence of a mosh pit full of Olympian athletes and the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who have enjoyed these Games as much as the next sports fan.All in the presence of a mosh pit full of Olympian athletes and the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who have enjoyed these Games as much as the next sports fan.
Worrying about the Olympics being over? That's for another time.Worrying about the Olympics being over? That's for another time.
There was a riot of colour as the athletes entered the stadium, with four-time Olympic gold medallist sailor Ben Ainslie carrying the British flag. Prince Harry represented the Queen at the ceremony, which took place on top of a stage in the shape of a union jack and saw a volunteer cast of 3,500.
Smiling athletes filled each section of the floor of the stadium, to the sound of Elbow playing their atmospheric hit, One Day Like This. The show saw the Spice Girls re-form to sing Spice Up Your Life from the top of five London taxis, and a surprise performance from Take That, who sang their hit Rule the World. It had been thought they would not appear because Gary Barlow was mourning the loss of his daughter who was delivered stillborn last Saturday.
As is traditional during the closing ceremony, the final medals of the 2012 Olympics have been handed out. On this occasion they went to the athletes in the men's marathon, which was won by Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich. Artistic Director Kim Gavin also brought together household names, including George Michael, Jessie J, Emeli Sande, Madness, the Pet Shop Boys, One Direction, Ray Davies and Liam Gallagher, as the best of British music went on show to the world.
The 70,000 Games Maker volunteers were thanked for their hard work. During the ceremonial part of the show, the Olympic flag was waved aloft by London Mayor Boris Johnson and passed by Mr Rogge into the hands of the Mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes.
The voice of the late Freddie Mercury echoed around the Stadium singing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, as part of the section of the show entitled A Symphony of British Music. The Brazilian national anthem rang out and the stadium was transformed into the green and yellow colours of Brazil's flag.
As the Stadium was plunged into dark blue light, images of David Bowie appeared on giant screens and a compilation of some of his most iconic songs were played out. 'Lit up the world'
Model Kate Moss appeared wearing a shimmering Alexander McQueen creation, as billboards of some of the most iconic British models were paraded around the stadium. London 2012 chairman Lord Coe told the audience: "Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city.
The crowd were taken through a celebration of British eccentricity, with comedian Russell Brand singing Pure Imagination from Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and the Beatles' I am the Walrus from the top of a psychedelic bus. "We lit the flame and lit up the world."
Brand was followed by DJ Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook, who brought a party atmosphere to the proceedings. The official handover also saw a celebration of Rio's mix of cultures, music and dance, bringing a carnival atmosphere to the proceedings.
'Party, party, party' Earlier, there was a riot of colour as the athletes entered the stadium, with four-time Olympic gold medallist sailor Ben Ainslie carrying the British flag and leading out Team GB.
Comedian Eric Idle performed a typically quirky version of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life and Muse rocked the stadium with the official anthem of the Games, Survival. The smiling athletes filled each section of the floor of the stadium, to the sound of Elbow playing their atmospheric hit, One Day Like This.
Traditionally, the closing ceremony is a chance to celebrate what the athletes have achieved, with Olympics supremo Lord Coe describing it as a time to "party, party, party". As is traditional during the closing ceremony, the final medals of the 2012 Olympics were handed out. On this occasion they went to the athletes in the men's marathon, which was won by Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich.
"This is the disco at the end of a wedding," artistic director Kim Gavin said of the ceremony The 70,000 Games Maker volunteers were also thanked for their hard work during the 16 days of competition.
The competition has been the most successful Olympics for Team GB in 104 years, with a tally of 29 golds. Home-grown fashion was celebrated with appearances from models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, both wearing the creations of the late Alexander McQueen, while British eccentricity also featured, with comedian Russell Brand singing the Beatles' I am the Walrus from the top of a psychedelic bus.
The Queen said Team GB's "outstanding" performance had "inspired" the country. Comedian Eric Idle drew much laughter when he performed a typically quirky version of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, and Muse rocked the stadium with the official anthem of the Games, Survival.
It was a successful final day for Team GB, with boxer Anthony Joshua securing the 29th gold with victory after a dramatic super-heavyweight bout. The 22-year old from London beat Italian Roberto Cammarelle. The 16 days ended with the US topping the final medal table with 46 golds, followed by China with 38 golds. GB came third with 29 golds - their best tally since 1908.
Welsh fighter Fred Evans had to settle for silver in his welterweight bout against Serik Sapiyev from Kazakhstan and in the very last event of the Games, Samantha Murray came second for Britain in the women's modern pentathlon. The Queen earlier said Team GB's "outstanding" performance had "inspired" the country.
The Games have ended with the US topping the final medal table with 46 golds, followed by China with 38 golds. GB came third with 29 golds - their best tally since 1908. The last day saw a final - and 29th gold - for Team GB, with boxer Anthony Joshua winning his super-heavyweight bout.
In all, 44 world records have been set during London 2012, and 117 Olympic records broken.In all, 44 world records have been set during London 2012, and 117 Olympic records broken.
Among those to have set new world bests included Kenyan David Rudisha in the men's 800m and the Jamaican sprint relay team, one of three golds during the Games for Usain Bolt. Among those to have set new world bests included Kenyan David Rudisha in the men's 800m and the Jamaican sprint relay team, which included 100m and 200m gold medallist Usain Bolt.
US swimmer Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history while cyclist Sir Chris Hoy's two gold medals meant he became the most successful British Olympian of all time.US swimmer Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history while cyclist Sir Chris Hoy's two gold medals meant he became the most successful British Olympian of all time.
In other developments: Earlier, US President Barack Obama telephoned Prime Minister David Cameron to offer his congratulations for a "brilliant" London Olympics, Downing Street said.
  • US President Barack Obama telephoned David Cameron to offer his congratulations for a "brilliant" London Olympics, Downing Street said
    •
  • Chris Hoy said he would take a few weeks off before deciding on his future, telling the BBC that competing in the 2014 Commonwealth Games would be a "dream end" to his career
    •
  • David Cameron appointed the head of Locog, Lord Coe, as the UK's Olympics legacy ambassador
    •
  • Crowds packed the live site at London's Hyde Park, to watch the sporting action on the big screens and enjoy a farewell concert headlined by Blur
    •
On Sunday, crowds also packed London's Hyde Park to watch the sporting action on big screens and enjoy a farewell concert headlined by Blur.
Prime Minister David Cameron earlier said British athletes had inspired people up and down the country, and confirmed elite funding for Olympic sports would be maintained at £125m until 2016. The Paralympics is set to start on 29 August, with the revamped 560-acre (227-hectare) Olympic Park site - to be known as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - then set to reopen from the first anniversary of the opening of the Games, on 27 July 2013.
The Paralympics is set to start on 29 August, with the revamped 560-acre (227-hectare) Olympic Park site - to be known as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - then set to reopen in stages starting on the first anniversary of the opening of the Games, on 27 July 2013.
What did you think of the Olympic Games closing ceremony? Were you there? Have your views about the Olympics changed? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions