London, Aug 12: The curtains finally came down on the 2012 Games with a colorful musical symphony at the Olympic Stadium as London celebrated its past, present and future.
It was an informal event, unlike the opening ceremony, and was termed “A Symphony of British Music”. The athletes also walked out in group, irrespective of their contingent, and they let their hair down.
The flag bearers also came out together and the Indian flag was carried by woman boxer MC Mary Kom, who had won the bronze medal.
During the three-hour extravaganza the Olympic Stadium turned into giant jukebox, whic in turn became the stage for some of the most talented British musicians.
The ceremony kicked off with a 20-minute ‘Day in the Life of London’ segment, which was a cacophony of music spanning the 20th century England composer Edward Elgar to the The Kinks.
The legendary band, The Who, and former members of the Pink Floyd also curned out some of their popular numbers. The brief of the directors of the show was ‘celebration’ and it did exactly that with 3,500 performers. The big draw of the night was the Spice Girls, reuniting to celebrate the Olympics, performing from atop London’s iconic taxis.
Among other stars who got the stadium into foot tapping mood were George Michael, Tinie Tempah, Brian May, Annie Lennox, the Pet Shop Boys, Jessie J and Kate Bushre.
It stood up to its billing of the ‘best after show party of all time’, a boast by its artistic director Kevin Gavin. Britain had a good cause to party.
After all, its medal haul was the best in an Olympics in 104 years!.
The theme was not surprising, considering music has been one of Britain’s strongest cultural exports for half a century.
So through the closing ceremony, the music of the last 50 years was played out. 30 big hit singles of five decades to get people up on their feet.
In between there were the ceremonies too. The speeches, the ceremonial handing of the flag to the city of Rio De Janeiro which will host the next Olympics in 2016. Rio gave a glimpse of what to expect with an eight-minute presentation.
In the end, the Olympic flame was doused out but the spirit remained in intact in which London conducted the Games.