Beijing Olympics
BEIJING — Heavenly drums, silver bell dancers, light wheels and flying men took center stage to greet guests at the National Stadium Sunday, August 24, for the closing celebration of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The evening’s performances featured an eclectic mix of China’s ethnic minority cultures and various modern elements.
A pyrotechnic display of numbers for the countdown from 29 — to indicate the 29th Olympiad — ushered in the Closing Ceremony at 8:00 p.m. (UTC/GMT +8) with an audience of more than 90,000 present. Spectacular fireworks formed a circle — the Chinese symbol of harmony and renewal — above the stadium immediately afterwards to indicate the successful completion of the Games.
A touching moment during the evening celebration came when 12 representatives of Olympic volunteers received recognition for the work that they and over a million others like them had done to help athletes, officials, reporters, spectators and visitors during the Games in Beijing and the six co-host cities. The volunteers were presented with flowers by the newest elected members of the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission.
“You made the Games,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge.
The Closing Ceremony also served to indicate the official start of London’s role as host of the 2012 Olympics. The UK national flag was raised and the Olympic flag was handed over to London. A short performance followed to showcase Britain’s enthusiasm for the Games, and famed footballer David Beckham was there to kick off a football to mark the start of London’s Olympic journey.
At 9:25 p.m., the Beijing Olympic flame was slowly extinguished.
The evening’s celebration culminated in an emotional duet performance of “The Flame of Love” by Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and Chinese singer Song Zuying.
“Come, come, please stay. Please stay, guests from afar,” sang dozens of young singers as the grandest...
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