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Beijing hands over Olympics to London

24/08/2008

The 2008 Olympics has come to a close in Beijing, with London officially taking over as host city of the Games.

A lavish closing ceremony took place in China to bring what has largely been seen as a successful Games to an end.

The British flag was raised and God Save the Queen sung by a choir, before Mr Johnson was handed the Olympic flag from Beijing mayor Giu Jinlong and Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge closed the Games with the traditional invitation: "In accordance with our tradition, I call upon the youth of the world to meet again four years from now in London, there to celebrate with us the Games of the 30th Olympiad."

In his speech at the closing ceremony, Mr Rogge said this was one of the greatest Games in history.

"We have come to the end of 16 days which we will cherish forever," he told the 80,000 people in the Bird's Nest spectator seats.

"New stars were born and stars from previous Games continued to amaze us.

"We shared their joys and their tears and marvelled at their abilities, and will long remember their achievements here."

The London organisers then put on an eight-minute show about the 2012 games with a red London bus driven into the stadium.

Hoy and other members of the British cycling team followed the bus on bicycles alongside dancers holding umbrellas.

The bus transformed into a grass-covered carnival float, with singer Leona Lewis and ex-Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy performing a duet of Whole Lotta Love.

England midfielder David Beckham closed proceedings by booting a football into the crowd of athletes.

The 29th games will live long in the memory with swimmer Michael Phelps record eight golds, sprinter Usain Bolt's record-breaking displays, and Team GB finishing with 19 golds.

The Queen has already sent her congratulations.

She said: "The golden triumphs of the present British team can only serve as further inspiration to those who will be working hard over the next four years to make the London Games a shining example of Olympic success."