Catch the Best Moments From the London Olympics Closing Ceremony
- Posted on August 12, 2012 at 6:37pm by
Erica Ritz
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The London cityscape featured during the early scenes at the 2012 Olympic closing ceremony. (Photo: Getty Images via The Telegraph)
(The Blaze/AP) — With a little British pomp and a lot of British pop, London brought the curtain down on a glorious Olympic Games on Sunday in a spectacular, technicolor pageant of landmarks, lightshows and lots of fun.
The closing ceremony offered a sensory blast including rock ‘n’ roll rickshaws, dustbin percussionists, an exploding yellow car and a marching band in red tunics and bearskin hats.
It was all delivered in a psychedelic mashup that had 80,000 fans at Olympic Stadium stomping, cheering and singing along. Organizers estimated 300 million or more were watching around the world.
The fun, festive and fast-moving show opened with pop bands Madness, Pet Shop Boys and One Direction, not to mention a shout-out to Winston Churchill and the Union Jack.
Timothy Spall, playing Winston Churchill, gestures to the Royal Box at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
There were also monochrome recreations of London landmarks covered in newsprint, from Big Ben’s clocktower and Tower Bridge to the London Eye ferris wheel and the chubby highrise known as the Gherkin.
It all spread out across an Olympic Stadium floor arranged to resemble the British flag.
Street percussion group Stomp built the noise into a frenzy, and dancers brandished brooms, in a nod to the spontaneous popular movement to clean up London after riots shook neighborhoods not far from Olympic Stadium just a year ago.
And there was more to come.
The Who, the surviving members of Queen and the Spice Girls took the stage during the three-hour paean to British pop, and to the country’s triumphant turn hosting the games.
The Spice Girls perform during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (Photo: AP)
Prince William’s wife, Kate, and Prince Harry took seats next to Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee. They sang along to “God Save the Queen.”
But perhaps the best seats in the house were for the 10,800 athletes, who marched in as one, rather than with their nations, symbolizing the harmony and friendship inspired by the games.
As the crowd cheered their heroes and flashbulbs rippled through the stadium, the Olympians cheered back, some carrying national flags, others snapping photographs with smartphones and cameras.
They held hands, embraced and carried each other on their shoulders, finally forming a human mosh pit on the field.
The ceremony had something for everyone, from tween girls to 1960s hippies. The face of John Lennon appeared on the stadium floor, assembled by 101 fragments of sculpture, and just as quickly gave way to George Michael.
Muse, Fatboy Slim, and Annie Lennox were all expected to perform. However, there was no sign of Queen Elizabeth II, who made a memorable mock parachute entrance at the July 27 opening ceremony.
British DJ Fatboy Slim performs on a giant octopus during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (Photo: AP)
Eight minutes were turned over to Brazil, host of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, which promises an explosion of samba, sequins and Latin cool. Following tradition, the mayor of London was to hand the Olympic flag off to his Rio counterpart.
There were also to be speeches by Rogge and London organizing committee chief Sebastian Coe, and the extinguishing of the Olympic flame.
What a way to end a games far more successful than many Londoners expected. Security woes were overcome, and traffic nightmares never materialized. The weather held up, more or less, and British athletes overachieved.
(Photo: Getty Images)
It all came at a price tag of $14 billion, three times the original estimate. But nobody wanted to spoil the fun with such mundane concerns, at least not on this night.
Britons, who had fretted for weeks that the games would become a fiasco, were buoyed by their biggest medal haul since 1908 – 29 golds and 65 medals in all.
The United States edged China in both the gold medal and total medal standings, eclipsing its best performance at an Olympics on foreign soil after the Dream Team narrowly held off Spain in basketball for the country’s 46th gold.
Model Kate Moss performs in front of the Olympic Cauldron during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Photo: Getty Images)
“It’s been an incredible fortnight,” said Coe, an Olympic champion in his own right.
While the games may have lacked some of the drama and grandeur of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, there were many unforgettable moments.
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt became an Olympic legend by repeating as champion in both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints. Michael Phelps ended his long career as the most decorated Olympian in history.
British distance runner Mo Farah became a national treasure by sweeping the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races, and favorite daughter Jessica Ennis became a global phenomenon with her victory in the heptathlon.
A group of volunteers crowd around an iPad outside Olympic Stadium to watch the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics. (Photo: AP)
Female athletes took center stage in a way they never had before. American gymnast Gabby Douglas soared to gold, the U.S. soccer team made a dramatic march to the championship. Packed houses turned out to watch the new event of women’s boxing. And women competed for Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei for the first time.
And then there was Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee from South Africa running on carbon-fiber blades, who didn’t win a medal but nonetheless left a champion. And sprinter Manteo Mitchell, who completed his leg of the 4×400 relay semifinal on a broken leg, allowing his team to qualify and win silver.
“It was a dream for a sports-lover like me,” Rogge said of the two weeks of competition.
Coe said the closing ceremony didn’t aim to be profound, not even the irreverent romp through British history offered by Danny Boyle’s $42 million spectacle on opening night.
Bollywood dancers perform during a performance of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," by British comedian Eric Idle during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics. (Photo: AP)
The theme for the close, Coe said, could be summed up in three words. “Party. Party. Party.”
In a switch from opening night and what appeared to be a concession to its vocal critics, NBC decided to stream the ceremony live online, in addition to broadcasting it during prime time.
London organizers tried to keep the ceremony under wraps, but photographs of their rehearsals, in an old car plant in east London, made the British papers almost daily.
The show was to include performances of 30 British hit singles from the past five decades – whittled by Gavin from a list of 1,000 songs.
A performer dances during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012. (Photo: AP)
Gavin said Saturday the show have a soundtrack ranging from late Edward Elgar, composer of the “Pomp and Circumstance” march, to The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset.” Frontman Ray Davies performed the 1960s song, a love letter to London.
While creators of the opening ceremony could rehearse for weeks inside the stadium, Gavin and his team had less than a day between the end of track and field competition and Sunday’s ceremony before 80,000 people.
Even as spectators filed in early Sunday evening, performers did final run-throughs, including actor-comedian Russell Brand in a top hat aboard a psychedelic magical mystery tour bus. Jets of steam shot up from the stage as dancers in warmup clothes shimmied and shook.
British comedian Russell Brand performs during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (Photo: AP)
Britons seemed exhausted and exhilarated after two glorious weeks in the world’s spotlight, and just months after the country celebrated the queen’s 60th year on the throne with a magnificent pageant and street parties.
Some at Olympic Park acknowledged happy surprise that not much had gone wrong, and so much had gone right.
“I was a bit worried we wouldn’t be able to live up to it,” said Phil Akrill of Chichester. “But walking around here it’s just unbelievable.”
Even non-Brits were proud of their adopted homeland.
“It’s just been a really nice thing to see,” said Anja Ekelof, a Swede who now lives in Scotland. “The whole country has come together.”
—
Associated Press writers Fergus Bell and Jill Lawless contributed to this report.
This post will be updated.
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Comments (110)
Small World
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 10:30pmGod bless the athletes but the closing ceremony was over the top bizarre.
Report Post »wakeus
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 10:28pmI would rather stick my face in an oscillating fan than watch even one more minute of that bizarro garbage. I lasted five.
Report Post »Small World
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 10:25pmGod bless all the athletes but the closing ceremony was over the top bizarre.
Report Post »Goldi
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 10:24pmDid anyone else think the American athletes looked like French bakers?
Report Post »Come on cowboy boots and cowboy hats – they really would’ve stood out!
majasdad
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:47amHow would you you know? Judging from the minimal coverage of the Olympics here on the Blaze (with the exception of adhesive tape reports and scandals), I thought you Blaze freaks had boycotted the Olympics entirely.
Report Post »Azzman
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 10:20pmA show fit for a society in decay.
Report Post »majasdad
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 11:03amSays a genius who calls himself a**man.
Report Post »tcseacliff
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 10:07pmcongratulations to all who participated, and particularly Michael Phelps, a superb athlete and Representative to his sport, not like that ungracious blow hard from Jamaica. he is a true a*hole ! I am sure he will be in hail soon after his career ends, with a piss attitude he has! he is not worthy . he couldn’t wipe Phelps ass!
Report Post »essgeew
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 8:16amPerhaps you missed the story of when they were interviewing the “blow hard” at the stadium and a medal ceremony was taking place he stopped being interviewed, turned to the podium, and placed his hand over his heart while they played the US National Anthem. He resumed the interview when it was over. Yes he is a bit over the top…but he is a big man in Jamaica and apparently quite respectful when the opportunity rises.
Report Post »Nervous Investor
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 11:33amtcseacliff – you are way out to lunch my friend. Mr Bolt is anything but a blowhard. Bolt is a generous decent man and humble though he does like to play around in a very Jamaican way. Now for a blowhard has been you just need to look at Carl Lewis. The Jamaicans have deservedly taken control of athletics through very hard work – not supplements and drugs like some who fail drug tests repeatedly (does Carl Lewis fall in that category? Hmmmm). Remember too that Jamaica has achieved this with a population of only 1% the size of the USA and an even smaller fraction of the resources available to US athletes. Give Mr Bolt the respect that he as earned.
Report Post »fedup ohio
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:28pmHe has the right to brag. He is the best. He does it partly for show. And I agree, when respect is deserved, he gave it.
Report Post »fedup ohio
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:37pmTerrible closing show. Worst ever,
Report Post »bloomytoad
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 10:01pmThe opening and closing cereomines were good (eventhough the coverage sucked), because the both celebrated being British. They seemed unashamed of there nation and were proud to put it on display. If this was in the US it would be some bs about how we are so wonderful because we are so diverse and have no common culture. Remember when Chicago bid for the games? That was exactly what they were pusing, and even the IOC thought it was a little too PC. If the games ever return to US I would love to see an “American Unashamed” theme, but I don’t see it happening.
Report Post »USANUMBERONE
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 12:14pmBloomytoad: I feel the same way, and I did watch, it was the best show the olympics ever did.
Report Post »rcourt50
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:52pmRight on Jack.
Report Post »I love the idea and spirit of the Olympics, not the politics and corruption. My favorite moment was when G. Michaels sang about freedom after we saw a disdainful display of socialism throughout. They glorify oneness, tout their dismal government healthcare, sing a socialist song (Imagine) and then sing about freedom. Really folks? Get a clue. I turned it off during the Freedom song and I‘m glad I don’t have to watch anymore terrible NBC coverage. Long live the spirit of the Olympics!
JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 4:57amLOL No nom de plumes for me. ….love those newspaper taxis…:)
Report Post »Tinfoilhat
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:33pmSorry for the cynicism but they lost me on the opening ceremony with all of the socialist crap crammed down the worlds throat. Plus NBC had it so I only watched an hour or two of the games. Also how much volleyball does there need to be? No Baseball either but ribbon twirling? Ridiculous.
Report Post »dawghowse
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:25pmNBC – worst coverage….EVER!
Opening Ceremony – worst I can remember!
USA did Great! Congratulations to all, great job, well done!
Closing Ceremony – just not done well.
Report Post »tradexpertbuysell
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:40pmToo much hype on man and no humble acknowledgement of God.
But I respect the dicipline of the atheletes. At least they are not all about phoney celeb crap and of course all about worshiping man, fame and power as god and not God as God (as Hollywood and DC do)..
There is no real message in either case and once again people in general are being distracted instead of focusing on where true greatness and authority altimately resides.
Praise Jesus and praise God. Repent and save our nations! It is time for a great awakening.
Report Post »JTHmishmash
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:22pmOK, now this is starting to get a little weird…new channel!
Report Post »EverTrue
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:18pmOld Mother England did herself proud, both as hostess nation and as a competitor, and I am happy for them. There was a lot of spectacular stuff in the opening ceremony — I loved the parachuting Queen — and I am not allowing myself to be overly annoyed by all the liberal garbage. But can someone tell me this: isn’t anyone else bothered by the lyrics of “Imagine”? Why is that song so admired? No religion? No possessions? C’mom! How is that a good thing?
Report Post »bioya1
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 10:29pmI chuckle when I hear those words (no possesions). John Lennon and that good-lookin’ woman, Yoko, were worth hundreds of millions of dollars when he was shot. Whick makes him a 24-carat hypocrite. No?
Report Post »jblaze
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 11:59pmTotally anti God and anti capitalism! Britain = Sodom and Gomorrah!
Report Post »ColoradoDad
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 12:58amOh, Thank God someone else saw it the same way that i did. As soon as I saw they were going to sing Imagine I said’ “out of all the great songs they could have picked they pick this anti-god, athiest song!”……..Good grief, give me a break!!!
Report Post »JTHmishmash
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:17pmI guess it’s not live, because it’s still playing on my TV..I think its better than the opening ceremony
Report Post »Too_Far_Gone
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:06pmLooks more like mardi gras glad it’s over ..
Report Post »marine249
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:57pmwake me up when it is rearly over.
Report Post »Too_Far_Gone
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:48pm{{{chirp}}}
Report Post »randy
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:42pmGee, I came here because, from the title of this story, I thought they were finally going to put out the Olympic Flame. The Olympics have become just like the UN….. I big waste of money and a Joke.
Report Post »woodyee
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:02pmI remember when our British brethren would often dismiss our claims against and posting support for Obammy. Well, I think they’ve learned that no one knows our pukes better than us, but it doesn’t mean their pukes behave any differently…
I can’t wait to see and hear their reaction when their PM proposes raising taxes to pay for all the money they lost…
Report Post »hawkeyez
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 7:37pmI don’t know what to say about it. Has NBC shown it yet? Perhaps I will see it on tape next week.
Report Post »PoliticiansRCrooks
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 7:36pmThe Olympics is a pathetic show for Americans filled with Demon Symbols. Sickos
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 7:28pmPink Floyd has done better shows altogether.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 7:15pmLondon was a very bad choice to host these Olympics.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 7:27pmLondon was not really that bad of a place for the Olympics. Screwball countries are going to do what screwball countries do, without a doubt. The bad choice for Americans was having somebody like NBC televising it over here. I have spent almost nine years total in Europe where we got to see the real live action at the time while I have seen a lot in the US. This was the absolute worst and I did not bother to watch at all after the openings.
Report Post »RGFROMTEXAS
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 7:31pmSoo Much Negativity !!! C’Mon Guys, This Was A Great Olympics For
the United States Of America !!
Gold Medals……….46
Silver Medals………29
Bronze Medals……29
TOTAL……………..104
GO USA !!!!
RJJinGadsden
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 7:39pmRGFROMTEXAS, That being said, NBC did everything they could to screw it up. We have had televised Olympics in the past where they ran the games at original times even late at night, then reran the more popular events during the off hours. NBC did an absolute rump hump to the nation with these games.
Report Post »rawmilker
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:08pmeuro trash!
Report Post »RGFROMTEXAS
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:54pmHoly Cow !! There are twenty other stories on The Blaze tonight
Report Post »wher you can show your disdain for what is going on the world.
This subject should be the games and not about NBC, the Brits
or politics. This is about our great athletes who represented our
country with class and kicked butt at the same time.
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 9:02pmI’m not sure what medals do for the US, except bragging rights. They help the people who earn them get endorsements, but they don’t really do much for he country. I enjoyed watching some of the competition, but it seemed more like entertainment than sports.
Report Post »Master.Debater
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:01amMissed pathetic NBC coverage: used HMA! and watched all events live and free on BBC.
Report Post »Sosorryforyou
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 8:10amRjjing – guess you wouldn’t know since you decided not to watch, but throughout each day NBC and several of their channels showed hours and hours of live coverage starting at the early hours of the day. Then at night they did a recap. Maybe you were working and didn’t know, but I thought the coverage was as good as it could be considering the time change. Stop with the negativity. The Games were terrific!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 7:10pmToo bad NBC doesn’t care about showing much of the LIVE events … one boring Olympics .. hopefully there were no “creepy babies” in the closing ceremony.
Report Post »Sosorryforyou
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 8:14amThey showed many, many live events every single day starting at around 4:00am until 7:00pm, then they showed a recap of the day. They were shown on several NBC stations.
Report Post »FreedomWitness
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 6:55pmSnore fest!
Report Post »jackact
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 6:54pmThe empire that once ruled the earth has imparted on us it’s sole lasting export….pop music.
Report Post »Ironic that after these centuries there is not much else that remains.
Ravaged by failed socialism and smothered by political correctness the Brits can continue life as usual.
Unemployed and straddling a barstool in a nearby pub.
Mary Poppins and James Bond could help numb the Pain?
Vote Labor!!!
:(
republitarian
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:15pmSad, huh?
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:36amYou say that like it’s a bad thing. (…what language are we typing in numby?)
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:37amYou’re more of a queen than Freddie Mercury.
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