LONDON HANDED OLYMPIC BATON
The ceremonial closing of the Beijing Olympic Games and the official handover to London ahead of 2012 has taken place in another elaborate display.

Fireworks, music and dance were combined as the Games closed in the same impressive way in which they began, to end 16 days of competition.

London mayor Boris Johnson received the Olympic banner from his Beijing counterpart Guo Jinlong to signal the end of the 2008 Games in China. After the official handover came London 2012's eight-minute slot that included David Beckham, singer Leona Lewis and guitarist Jimmy Page.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said: "Tonight, we come to the end of 16 glorious days which we will cherish forever.

"New stars were born, stars from past Games amazed us again. We shared their joys and their tears, and we marvelled at their ability. We will long remember the achievements we witnessed at these exceptional Games.

"In accordance with tradition, I declare the Games of the 29th Olympiad closed, and I call upon the youth of the world to assemble four years from now in London to celebrate the Games of the 30th Olympiad."



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