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London Olympics: Coe praises UK 'spirit of generosity' London Olympics: Coe praises UK 'spirit of generosity'
(40 minutes later)
The "spirit of generosity" demonstrated by British people during the London 2012 Olympics has been hailed by Games chief Lord Coe.The "spirit of generosity" demonstrated by British people during the London 2012 Olympics has been hailed by Games chief Lord Coe.
He identified the public mood as his highlight of the Games, which ended on Sunday with a musical closing ceremony and the official handover to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro. The public mood was his highlight of the Games, which ended with a musical closing ceremony and the handover to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro.
Some 26 million watched it on TV. He said the Paralympics, first held in the UK in 1948, were "coming home".
Lord Coe also said the Paralympics, first held in the UK in 1948, were "coming home". Meanwhile, Lord Moynihan has announced that he is to step down as chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA).
He predicted that people would be "amazed" by the "quality of sport that they see" at the Paralympics, which will start on 29 August. Having helped to steer Team GB to 29 golds and third place in the medal table at the London 2012 Olympics, he wrote to the BOA executive board and the National Olympic Committee to confirm his decision.
He plans to remain as chairman until an election is held in November to find his successor.
Earlier, speaking at a press conference, the chairman of Games organisers Locog Lord Coe looked forward to the Paralympics, which will start on 29 August.
He predicted that people would be "amazed" by the "quality of sport that they see" there.
"This is going to be an extraordinary moment for us," he added, saying his team were focusing on the transition process of moving from the Olympics to the Paralympics."This is going to be an extraordinary moment for us," he added, saying his team were focusing on the transition process of moving from the Olympics to the Paralympics.
Speaking at a press conference, Lord Coe - the chairman of Games organiser Locog - drew particular attention to those he felt were responsible for the successful running of the Olympic Games. Lord Coe drew particular attention to those he felt were responsible for the successful running of the Olympic Games.
He thanked the athletes for creating "moments of heroism and heartbreak", the spectators for their "spirit of generosity" and the volunteers for being the "best ever".He thanked the athletes for creating "moments of heroism and heartbreak", the spectators for their "spirit of generosity" and the volunteers for being the "best ever".
"Our volunteers have been sensational. They've had boundless enthusiasm, goodwill, humour - they've done it with grace. And they have in large part been the face of these Games," he said."Our volunteers have been sensational. They've had boundless enthusiasm, goodwill, humour - they've done it with grace. And they have in large part been the face of these Games," he said.
It comes after the London 2012 Olympics ended with a spectacular musical closing ceremony and the official handover to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro.It comes after the London 2012 Olympics ended with a spectacular musical closing ceremony and the official handover to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro.
In other developments:In other developments:
Sunday's three-hour closing ceremony featured some of the biggest names of British pop from decades past, including the Spice Girls, George Michael and Elbow.Sunday's three-hour closing ceremony featured some of the biggest names of British pop from decades past, including the Spice Girls, George Michael and Elbow.
During the ceremonial part of the show, the Olympic flag was waved aloft by London Mayor Boris Johnson and passed by President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, into the hands of the Mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes.During the ceremonial part of the show, the Olympic flag was waved aloft by London Mayor Boris Johnson and passed by President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, into the hands of the Mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes.
The flame at the Olympic Stadium was then extinguished.The flame at the Olympic Stadium was then extinguished.
Mr Johnson admitted to a "momentary mad desire" not hand the flag over to Mr Rogge.Mr Johnson admitted to a "momentary mad desire" not hand the flag over to Mr Rogge.
He told journalists he felt "sadness that it's over", as well as a sense of relief that the Games had ended.He told journalists he felt "sadness that it's over", as well as a sense of relief that the Games had ended.
"Thankfulness that it's all over, but in a good way," he said."Thankfulness that it's all over, but in a good way," he said.
The closing ceremony was watched in the stadium by the 10,000 athletes and 80,000 spectators, along with 26 million British TV viewers.The closing ceremony was watched in the stadium by the 10,000 athletes and 80,000 spectators, along with 26 million British TV viewers.
Mr Rogge, who declared the Games of the 30th Olympiad closed, said: "We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the much-needed heroes of these Games," he said.Mr Rogge, who declared the Games of the 30th Olympiad closed, said: "We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the much-needed heroes of these Games," he said.
Mr Rogge went on: "You, the spectators and the public, provided the soundtrack for these Games.Mr Rogge went on: "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."
The Games 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 Games 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.