2008 Summer Olympics closing ceremony
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Summer Olympics
closing ceremony was held at the Beijing National Stadium
, also known as the Bird's Nest. It was directed by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou
and began at 8:00 pm China Standard Time (UTC+8
) on August 24, 2008. The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture.
The musical acts included:
The Ceremony also included the handover of the games from Beijing to London
. Guo Jinlong
, the Mayor of Beijing, handed over the Olympic flag to the Mayor of London
, Boris Johnson
. There was alsoa performance organized by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games
(LOCOG). Lighting Designer Durham Marenghi illuminated the handover in Beijing, with lighitng programmed by Tim Routledge (who was in fact hidden in the London Bus)
While the opening ceremony was described as an artistic and serious introduction of China's ancient past, the closing ceremony was described by Western media as "much more lighthearted", "silly" and "fun" than the opening ceremony.
By the end of the 16 days of NBC's coverage of the Beijing Olympics in the United States, it had also become the most-watched U.S. television event of all time, with over 211 million viewers tuned in to the Olympics on NBC according to the Nielsen Media Research
; this is 2 million more than the 1996 Atlanta Games
, the previous all-time record-holder.
, Princess Anne of Britain
, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
, Prime Minister of Finland Matti Vanhanen
, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme
, Prime Minister of Lithuania Gediminas Kirkilas
, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
, Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis
, Mongolian Prime Minister Sanj Bayar, Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla
, Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda
, Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery
, and U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
.
Synopsis
The countdown started from "29", indicating the 29th Summer Olympics. From "29" to "11", highlights of this Olympic Games were shown with countdown numbers on the screen. Accompanied by sound effects, the atmosphere reached its climax. Guided by volunteers, the entire audience counted down from 10, together. Both Arabic numerals and numbers written in Chinese characters appeared on the screen with typical patterns of minority ethnic groups as the background. The fireworks burst immediately when the countdown ended, forming a great circle in the sky which symbolized the success of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Hu Jintao entered the stadium, accompanied by Jacques Rogge. They were followed by the entrance of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife, Anne. The People's Liberation Army
prepared the national flag of China. The soldiers then carried the flag, in a slow, goose-stepping march, to the flag podium and the Chinese national anthem, March of the Volunteers, was sung by a 224-member choir while the flag was raised.
All lights were extinguised in the stadium. A video was played on the large screen in the north and south to explain the theme of the Closing Ceremony. The video reviewed the exciting and memorable moments during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. A grand celebration began:
Next, silver bell performers danced in time to the beat of the heavenly drums on the Main Stage to greet the guests.
Synopsis
Led by guides and placard holders, the flag bearers of all delegations
entered the stadium, divided into two groups. One group (1-102), headed by Greece
as per tradition, entered from Gate 4 in alphabetical order and stood along the main stage. The other group (103-204), headed by Saudi Arabia
, entered from Gate 3 and also stood along the main stage. The Chinese Flag bearer entered last and stood at the designated place. Greece entering first and China entering last symbolizing the first and the most recent Summer Olympics host nations.
After all flags were in position, the athletes entered the stadium in no particular order. All athletes entered from four gates without differentiation of nationality. While the athletes were entering, a women's percussion band and two children percussion players played cheerful music. The entire stadium was in raptures.
Finally, the medal-winning athletes entered the stadium.
Synopsis
At this point, Samuel Wanjiru
received his gold medal. He was very excited as he climbed to the first position. Three flags, including the flag of Kenya
, were raised as the national anthem of Kenya was played.
Afterwards, twelve children led twelve representatives of volunteers to walk from Gate 2 to the stage. Then, four children led four new members of IOC Athletes' commission to walk together with four persons for the ceremony from Gate 1 to the Main Stage.
Synopsis
The People's Liberation Army
then enter the stadium, holding the national flag of Greece. While the Greek flag was being hoisted, the Greek national anthem "Hymn to Liberty" was performed.
Jacques Rogge and Liu Qi walked to the main stage from the VIP corridor. During his speech, Jacques Rogge praising the Chinese for their warm reception and effort. He also stated that Beijing Games were "truly exceptional". Finally, he declared that the 2008 Olympic Games were officially closed.
Eight British Army then entered the stadium, carrying the Union Flag. They passed the flag to soldiers of the People's Liberation Army. The flag was raised and the British national anthem God Save The Queen
was played. Shortly thereafter, the soldiers slowly lowered the Olympic Flag and held it. As the soldiers exited, the fireworks erupted again, representing the Olympic rings. The Olympic flag was next raised again at the next Winter Olympic games
in Vancouver
; opening ceremony
took place there on 12 February 2010.
The Olympic flag was handed from Guo Jinlong
, the mayor of Beijing, to Jacques Rogge, the President of the IOC. It was then handed to Boris Johnson
, the mayor of London.
Synopsis
A demonstration was then staged by the British, involving a double-decker bus
, bicycles and commuters, to a score entitled 'This is London' by Philip Sheppard
recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra
. The 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will reunite the world's greatest sporting event with one of the world's great cities. In the year in which we mark the anniversaries of the 1908 and 1948 Olympic Games in London, the journey from Beijing to London began, where the Games will be held in the heart of one of the world's most culturally vibrant, diverse and sports passionate cities.
As the creative capital of the world, London leads its performance tonight with music and dance, showcasing the very best of British talent and diversity in performances that reflect key themes of the London 2012 Games- sport, culture, social change, urban transformation, and changing lives- all inspired by young people and our vision to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The performance highlighted the artistic creativity, energy, and passion for sport, art and culture that London and the UK will bring to the 2012 Games.
The Handover segment was led by special guest performers from London whose achievements demonstrate the power of sport, music and art to cross barriers and divided in ways where talent and creativity can be celebrated and enjoyed the world over- from our Rock royalty to the current global star urban pop, to one of our greatest global sporting heroes. These include global football hero, David Beckham, new international singing sensation, Leona Lewis and legendary Led Zeppelin rock group guitarist, Jimmy Page.
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad provides a contemporary interpretation of the vision of the founder of the modern Olympic Movement Pierre de Coubertin
for the Games as an international festival of sport and culture for the athletes and youth of the world.
An airport electronic flight screen appeared on the large screen of the Stadium. An athlete about to leave walks up the boarding ladder and turns around affectionately. In special-effect lighting, the boarding ladder truck with the logo of Beijing Olympic Games is slowly elevated. He slowly takes out an exquisite painting scroll and unfolds it. In the dark, a huge mechanic device — the "memory tower" at the center of the field — rises slowly, with two "sports sculpture" performers standing on top of it and showing various athletic gestures.
The rim of the bowl changed into a red track. Special lights cast scenes of the 16 days from the lighting of the holy flame to now onto the track in the air. At the center of the field, two "sports sculpture" performers rise gradually and show different athletic gestures slowly in the air, conveying the noble Olympic spirit. The athlete on the boarding ladder looks at the burning flame in the distance, and slowly folds the painting scroll, just as the flame was about to be extinguished. A huge "holy flame" is lighted at the center of the field (396 "memory tower" performers simulate the flame with their bodies) as the Olympic flame took its final breath.
Synopsis
The torch lights in the hands of the marshals and the 90,000 audience members were turned on at the same time. In the passionate far-reaching music, 16 lucky cloud yarn strips slowly rose along the "memory tower" on the main stage. The top ends of the lucky cloud yarn strips extended towards the sky and changed into a lucky cloud tree symbolizing friendship and joy.
The concert section started. Chinese singer Tan Jing, Hong Kong singer Kelly Chen
, Han Xue, Taiwanese-American singer Wang Lee Hom and Korean singer Rain sing together "Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing", a song full of passion, vitality and energy.
Next, seven singers walked from below the steps to the Main Stage and sang "The Moon is Bright Tonight". Two Chinese and foreign singers on the mobile singing performance car went from Gate 1 to the front of the VIP corridor, and sang "The Flame of Love". Two singers on the main stage saing the joyous and passionate song "Surpass It".
At this point, there were 50 young singers together. At the same time, 75 aerobatic performers wearing luminous flight clothes performed elevation and rotation in the air.
During the final song "Please Stay, Guests from Afar", 50 male dancers holding Fuwa lucky cloud yarn strips and paper flower launchers and 120 other dancers danced on the Main Stage in tune with the rhythm of the song. Also, 600 female performers in festival clothes entered the stadium, flew around the athletes and danced with all athletes in the stadium and 1,046 marshals in tune with the rhythm of the song, forming a spectacular dance circle.
Finally, 600 female performers in festive clothes, 112 performers of minority ethnic groups, 50 male dancers, 70 collectors of launched red silk and 200 "memory tower" performers threw the Fuwa lucky cloud yarn strips into the stadium, interacting with the athletes. At the same time, innumerable dazzling fireworks were launched from the top of the "bowl rim". Then, numerous festival fireworks formed a huge circle of fireworks, symbolizing the successful conclusion of 2008 Summer Olympics. The closing ceremony ended at 9:55 pm CST.
), "experts estimated ... more than two billion" (Wall Street Journal), "2.3 billion" (MindShare), "Billions...probably the largest live television audience in history" (Bloomberg
), "3 billion" (Sky News
), "nearly 4 billion" (Xinhua, "as many as 4 billion" (Washington Post), "estimated 4 billion" (McClatchy
). This included an estimated 842 million viewers watching on host Chinese broadcaster China Central Television
(CCTV), with polls ranging from 63 and 69 percent of the Chinese viewing population, exceeding that of the 51-58 percent who watch the network's annual closing ceremonies forms.
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
closing ceremony was held at the Beijing National Stadium
Beijing National Stadium
Beijing National Stadium, also known officially as the National Stadium, or colloquially as the Bird's Nest , is a stadium in Beijing, China. The stadium was designed for use throughout the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.-History:...
, also known as the Bird's Nest. It was directed by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, producer, writer and actor, and former cinematographer. He is counted amongst the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, having made his directorial debut in 1987 with Red Sorghum....
and began at 8:00 pm China Standard Time (UTC+8
UTC+8
UTC+08:00 is an identifier for a time offset from UTC of +08:00. In ISO 8601 the associated time would be written as .With an estimated population of 1.53 billion living within the time zone, roughly 22.5% of the world population, it is the most populous time zone in world, as well as a possible...
) on August 24, 2008. The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture.
The musical acts included:
- Chinese mainland singer Wei WeiWei Wei (singer)Wei Wei is a Mandopop singer and actress. She was born in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia and was raised in Liuzhou, Guangxi.Wei Wei recently performed at the opening ceremony of the , as well as at the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics...
and Sun Nan singing Beijing Beijing (wo ai Beijing). - BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
singer Leona LewisLeona LewisLeona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
, Led ZeppelinLed ZeppelinLed Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
guitarist Jimmy PageJimmy PageJames Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
(with football player David BeckhamDavid BeckhamDavid Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
making an appearance, Elspeth HansonElspeth HansonElspeth Hanson is the violist of the all female string quartet, Bond.- Biography :Elspeth started learning the violin aged 12 and at 16 won a place as first violin with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain with whom she has toured the UK and played live at the BBC Proms.Previously she had...
as the violinist and Kwesi Edman as the cellist. - Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
singers Andy LauAndy LauAndy Lau MH, JP is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, actor, and film producer. Lau has been one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors since the mid-1980s, performing in more than 160 films while maintaining a successful singing career at the same time...
, Emil Chau, Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, Karen MokKaren MokKaren Joy Morris, known more commonly in the Sinosphere as Karen Mok or Mok Man-Wai, is a three-time Golden Melody Award-winning Hong Kong-based actress and singer-songwriter.- Biography :...
, Kelly ChenKelly ChenKelly Chen is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Kelly has also been known as a diva in Asia. She has a great success in Asia Entertainment industry with nearly 20 million record sales of 38 albums...
, Joey YungJoey YungJoey Yung is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress from Emperor Entertainment Group. She won the prestigious JSG "Most Popular Female Singer" and "Ultimate Best Female Singer - Gold" awards a record breaking six times, thus emerging as one of the premier Cantonese singers in Hong Kong...
and Nicolas Tse. - Taiwanese American singer Wang Lee Hom, SingaporeanSingaporeSingapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
singer Stefanie SunStefanie SunStefanie Sun was born Sng Ee Tze on 23 July 1978, and known to fans as 13姐 , is a Singaporean singer-songwriter. She has sold over 30 million copies of her albums during the span of her career thus far. She does the majority of her recording, and conducts most of her publicity events, in Taiwan,...
and South Korean entertainer Rain. - Han HongHan HongHan Hong is a Chinese singer and songwriter of ethnic Tibetan and Han Chinese origin. She is one of the most famous female singers in China, and has maintained her diva status since 2003. She is also a songwriter who specializes in a variety of Chinese folk music. Her signature works are Tibetan...
- Legendary German film composer Klaus BadeltKlaus BadeltKlaus Badelt is an award-winning German composer, best known for composing film scores.-Life and career:Badelt was born in Frankfurt, Germany. He started his musical career composing for many successful movies and commercials in his homeland...
wrote the music for the closing ceremonies.
The Ceremony also included the handover of the games from Beijing to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Guo Jinlong
Guo Jinlong
Guo Jinlong is a politician of the People's Republic of China and Mayor of Beijing.- Biography :He graduated from Nanjing University Department of Physics in 1969 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1979, and was sent to work in Sichuan....
, the Mayor of Beijing, handed over the Olympic flag to the Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
, Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
. There was alsoa performance organized by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games
London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is a limited company, owned by the Government of the United Kingdom, that will oversee the planning and development of the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. After the successful London 2012 Olympic bid, LOCOG was...
(LOCOG). Lighting Designer Durham Marenghi illuminated the handover in Beijing, with lighitng programmed by Tim Routledge (who was in fact hidden in the London Bus)
While the opening ceremony was described as an artistic and serious introduction of China's ancient past, the closing ceremony was described by Western media as "much more lighthearted", "silly" and "fun" than the opening ceremony.
By the end of the 16 days of NBC's coverage of the Beijing Olympics in the United States, it had also become the most-watched U.S. television event of all time, with over 211 million viewers tuned in to the Olympics on NBC according to the Nielsen Media Research
Nielsen Media Research
Nielsen Media Research is an American firm that measures media audiences, including television, radio, theatre films and newspapers...
; this is 2 million more than the 1996 Atlanta Games
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
, the previous all-time record-holder.
Attending heads of state and dignitaries
The closing ceremony was attended by many heads of state and dignitaries including Chinese President Hu JintaoHu Jintao
Hu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...
, Princess Anne of Britain
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
, Prime Minister of Finland Matti Vanhanen
Matti Vanhanen
Matti Taneli Vanhanen is a Finnish politician. He is a former Prime Minister of Finland and a former Chairman of the Centre Party. In the second half of 2006 he was President of the European Council. In his earlier career he was a journalist...
, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme
Yves Leterme
Yves Camille Désiré Leterme is a Flemish Belgian politician, a leader of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party , and the 48th Prime Minister of Belgium.Leterme was the Prime Minister of Belgium from March 2008 to December 2008...
, Prime Minister of Lithuania Gediminas Kirkilas
Gediminas Kirkilas
Gediminas Kirkilas is a former Prime Minister of Lithuania . He was appointed on 4 July 2006 after Zigmantas Balčytis, the provisional Prime Minister, failed to gather the required support from the Seimas. Kirkilas managed to get the necessary support from the Seimas on 4 July 2006...
, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
Roosevelt Skerrit
Roosevelt Skerrit is a Dominican politician who has been Prime Minister of Dominica since 2004; he has also been the Member of Parliament for the Vieille Case constituency since 2000...
, Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis
Ivars Godmanis
Ivars Godmanis is a Latvian politician and currently 1 of the 8 Latvian MEPs in the European parliament. He was the first Prime Minister of Latvia after the country became independent from the Soviet Union, and he became a Prime Minister for the second time in December 2007.Godmanis served as...
, Mongolian Prime Minister Sanj Bayar, Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla
Jusuf Kalla
is an Indonesian politician who was the 10th Vice President of Indonesia from 2004 to 2009 and Chairman of the Golkar Party during the same period. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the 2009 presidential election.-Early life:...
, Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda
Prachanda
Puspa Kamal Dahal ; born Chhabilal Dahal on 11 December 1954, also known as Prachanda ]]. Prachanda led CPN as it launched an insurgency on 13 February 1996. In 2008 the ensuing civil war culminated in the overthrow of the Shah dynasty in favor of a communist...
, Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery
Michael Jeffery
Major General Philip Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC was the 24th Governor-General of Australia , the first Australian career soldier to be appointed governor-general...
, and U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Elaine Chao
Elaine Lan Chao served as the 24th United States Secretary of Labor in the Cabinet of President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. She was the first Asian Pacific American woman and first Chinese American to be appointed to a President's cabinet in American history. Chao was the only cabinet...
.
Opening
Sequence- Fireworks prelude, including a firework countdown above the National Stadium itself, at 8:00 pm CST.
- Introduction of IOC members and Hu JintaoHu JintaoHu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...
. - The flag of People's Republic of China was raised, to the Chinese national anthem, March of the VolunteersMarch of the VolunteersMarch of the Volunteers is the national anthem of the People's Republic of China , written by the noted poet and playwright Tian Han with music composed by Nie Er. This composition is a musical march...
. - Mass gamesMass gamesMass games or mass gymnastics are a form of performing arts or gymnastics in which large numbers of performers take part in a highly regimented performance that emphasizes group dynamics rather than individual prowess.-Methods:...
performance by a troupe of drummers. - Orange sparkling fireworks.
- Performers in translucent costumes, bocking stilts and some riding on illuminated monowheelMonowheelA monowheel is a one-wheeled single-track vehicle similar to a unicycle. However, instead of sitting above the wheel, the rider sits either within it or next to it. The wheel is a ring, usually driven by smaller wheels pressing against its inner rim...
s.
Synopsis
The countdown started from "29", indicating the 29th Summer Olympics. From "29" to "11", highlights of this Olympic Games were shown with countdown numbers on the screen. Accompanied by sound effects, the atmosphere reached its climax. Guided by volunteers, the entire audience counted down from 10, together. Both Arabic numerals and numbers written in Chinese characters appeared on the screen with typical patterns of minority ethnic groups as the background. The fireworks burst immediately when the countdown ended, forming a great circle in the sky which symbolized the success of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Hu Jintao entered the stadium, accompanied by Jacques Rogge. They were followed by the entrance of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife, Anne. The People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
prepared the national flag of China. The soldiers then carried the flag, in a slow, goose-stepping march, to the flag podium and the Chinese national anthem, March of the Volunteers, was sung by a 224-member choir while the flag was raised.
All lights were extinguised in the stadium. A video was played on the large screen in the north and south to explain the theme of the Closing Ceremony. The video reviewed the exciting and memorable moments during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. A grand celebration began:
- Two hundred performers in drum formation lined up, in a circle, on the steps of the Main Stage. They danced and beat drums while looking up at the sky. Two large heavenly drums flew from the north and south, and the resonant sound of the drum seemed to come from far away.
- The performers beat the heavenly drums in a unique style in magical light. The two heavenly drums met at the center above the stadium, slowly falling down to the Main Stage and were suspended about 5 meters above the stage. The heavenly drum and the drum on the ground complemented each other.
- Summoned by the drumbeat, 1,148 silver bell dancers wearing silver bells gathered around the Main Stage, and sang and danced for the heavenly drums. A grand celebration was about to begin.
Next, silver bell performers danced in time to the beat of the heavenly drums on the Main Stage to greet the guests.
- Eight drum carts in different shapes entered the stadium, carrying performers who beat drums in unique ways. The sound of the song was mingled with the drumbeat; passionate and dynamic.
- Eight rotating poles swung and crossed.
- With 60 light wheels shuttling, 200 bouncing and flying men ran and did somersaults.
- The silver bell dancers changed into radiating wave lines coming through, and formed four festive passages with the eight drum carts to great the guests.
Entrance of the flag bearers
Sequence- Flag bearers enter the stadium.
- Athletes enter the stadium.
- Athletes gather in the stadium, with drumming throughout the precession.
Synopsis
Led by guides and placard holders, the flag bearers of all delegations
2008 Summer Olympics national flag bearers
During the Parade of Nations portion of the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, athletes from each country participating in the Olympics paraded in the arena, preceded by their flag...
entered the stadium, divided into two groups. One group (1-102), headed by Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
as per tradition, entered from Gate 4 in alphabetical order and stood along the main stage. The other group (103-204), headed by Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, entered from Gate 3 and also stood along the main stage. The Chinese Flag bearer entered last and stood at the designated place. Greece entering first and China entering last symbolizing the first and the most recent Summer Olympics host nations.
After all flags were in position, the athletes entered the stadium in no particular order. All athletes entered from four gates without differentiation of nationality. While the athletes were entering, a women's percussion band and two children percussion players played cheerful music. The entire stadium was in raptures.
Finally, the medal-winning athletes entered the stadium.
Medal ceremony
Sequence- Presentation of the final men's marathonAthletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Men's marathonThe following new Olympic record was set during this competition.-Results:Key: = Olympic record, SB = Season Best, PB = Personal Best, DNF = Did Not Finish, DNS = Did Not Start-Intermediates:s.t. - same time.- External links :...
medals; including the national anthem of KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
: Ee Mungu Nguvu YetuEe Mungu Nguvu YetuEe Mungu Nguvu Yetu is the national anthem of Kenya. It was originally composed in Swahili, the national language. Kenya's National Anthem was prepared by local people. The commission included five members and was headed by the Kenya Music Adviser. It was based on a traditional tune sung by Pokomo...
, for the gold medallist Samuel Wanjiru. - Presentation of flowers to twelve volunteers by newly elected athlete representatives to the IOCInternational Olympic CommitteeThe International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
Athlete Commission.
Synopsis
At this point, Samuel Wanjiru
Samuel Wanjiru
Samuel Kamau Wanjiru was a Kenyan athlete, who specialized in long distance running. He became a professional at a young age and broke the world record in the half marathon when he was 18 years old...
received his gold medal. He was very excited as he climbed to the first position. Three flags, including the flag of Kenya
Flag of Kenya
The flag of Kenya was officially adopted on December 12, 1963.-Symbolism:The Kenyan flag is based on that of Kenya African National Union. The colours symbolize black majority, red for the blood shed during the struggle for freedom, and green for Land; the white fimbriation was added later and...
, were raised as the national anthem of Kenya was played.
Afterwards, twelve children led twelve representatives of volunteers to walk from Gate 2 to the stage. Then, four children led four new members of IOC Athletes' commission to walk together with four persons for the ceremony from Gate 1 to the Main Stage.
Speeches and lowering the Olympic flag
Sequence- Raising of the Greece national flagFlag of GreeceThe flag of Greece , officially recognized by Greece as one of its national symbols, is based on nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white...
, to the national anthem of the GreeceGreeceGreece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
as "Hymn to Liberty". - Welcoming of the President of the BOCOG, Liu Qi, and the IOCInternational Olympic CommitteeThe International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
President, Jacques RoggeJacques RoggeJacques Rogge, Count Rogge , is a Belgian sports bureaucrat. He is the eighth and current President of the International Olympic Committee .-Life and career:...
. - Speech by Liu Qi in Mandarin Chinese, concluding by thanking everyone.
- Speech by the IOC President, Jacques RoggeJacques RoggeJacques Rogge, Count Rogge , is a Belgian sports bureaucrat. He is the eighth and current President of the International Olympic Committee .-Life and career:...
, in English, French and concluding in Mandarin, declaring the Beijing Games "truly exceptional". He closes the Games, and bids (in FrenchFrench languageFrench is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
) for "the youth of the world to assemble four years from now in London". - The flag of the United KingdomUnion FlagThe Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
was raised to the British national anthem God Save The QueenGod Save the Queen"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
. - Lowering of the Olympic Flag and singing of the Olympic AnthemOlympic AnthemThe Olympic Hymn , also known informally as the Olympic Anthem, is a choral cantata by opera composer Spyridon Samaras, with lyrics by Greek poet Kostis Palamas...
. - Fireworks representing the Olympic rings.
- Returning of the Olympic Flag by the Mayor of Beijing Guo JinlongGuo JinlongGuo Jinlong is a politician of the People's Republic of China and Mayor of Beijing.- Biography :He graduated from Nanjing University Department of Physics in 1969 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1979, and was sent to work in Sichuan....
to Jacques Rogge, in turn presenting it to the Mayor of London Boris JohnsonBoris JohnsonAlexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
.
Synopsis
The People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
then enter the stadium, holding the national flag of Greece. While the Greek flag was being hoisted, the Greek national anthem "Hymn to Liberty" was performed.
Jacques Rogge and Liu Qi walked to the main stage from the VIP corridor. During his speech, Jacques Rogge praising the Chinese for their warm reception and effort. He also stated that Beijing Games were "truly exceptional". Finally, he declared that the 2008 Olympic Games were officially closed.
Eight British Army then entered the stadium, carrying the Union Flag. They passed the flag to soldiers of the People's Liberation Army. The flag was raised and the British national anthem God Save The Queen
God Save the Queen
"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
was played. Shortly thereafter, the soldiers slowly lowered the Olympic Flag and held it. As the soldiers exited, the fireworks erupted again, representing the Olympic rings. The Olympic flag was next raised again at the next Winter Olympic games
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
; opening ceremony
2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics was held on February 12, 2010 beginning at 6:00 pm PST at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This was the first Olympic opening ceremony to be held indoors...
took place there on 12 February 2010.
The Olympic flag was handed from Guo Jinlong
Guo Jinlong
Guo Jinlong is a politician of the People's Republic of China and Mayor of Beijing.- Biography :He graduated from Nanjing University Department of Physics in 1969 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1979, and was sent to work in Sichuan....
, the mayor of Beijing, to Jacques Rogge, the President of the IOC. It was then handed to Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
, the mayor of London.
Presentation of the 2012 Summer Olympics
Sequence- Eight minutes of presentation of the 2012 London Olympics2012 Summer OlympicsThe 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
.- A British modern cultural performance, involving a double-decker busDouble-decker busA double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates...
, bicycles and commuters, to a score entitled 'This is London' by Philip SheppardPhilip Sheppard (musician)-Biography:Philip Sheppard trained in Cello and Composition at the Royal Academy of Music, during which time he specialised in contemporary music. He worked closely with Hans Werner Henze, Sir Michael Tippett and Luciano Berio during this time as a founder member of The Kreutzer String Quartet...
recorded by the London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
. - 10 year-old Tayyiba Dudhwala steps out of the Double Decker bus in front of the crowd and receives a ball from Erika Tham, then walks onto people to return back to the bus.
- Leona LewisLeona LewisLeona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
and Jimmy PageJimmy PageJames Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
perform "Whole Lotta LoveWhole Lotta Love"Whole Lotta Love" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin. It is featured as the opening track on the band's second album, Led Zeppelin II, and was released in the United States and Japan as a single. The US release became their first hit single, it was certified Gold on 13 April 1970, when it...
". - Appearance by David BeckhamDavid BeckhamDavid Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
. Beckham kicked a ceremonial football into the rows of volunteers.
- A British modern cultural performance, involving a double-decker bus
- Procession of performers on an airport terminal staircaseAirport terminalAn airport terminal is a building at an airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from aircraft....
, with events during the 2008 Olympics on-screen. - The Olympic FlameOlympic FlameThe Olympic Flame or Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928...
was then extinguished, following a recitation of the 16 days of Olympic competition and of the Ancient Greek competition.
Synopsis
A demonstration was then staged by the British, involving a double-decker bus
Double-decker bus
A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates...
, bicycles and commuters, to a score entitled 'This is London' by Philip Sheppard
Philip Sheppard (musician)
-Biography:Philip Sheppard trained in Cello and Composition at the Royal Academy of Music, during which time he specialised in contemporary music. He worked closely with Hans Werner Henze, Sir Michael Tippett and Luciano Berio during this time as a founder member of The Kreutzer String Quartet...
recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
. The 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will reunite the world's greatest sporting event with one of the world's great cities. In the year in which we mark the anniversaries of the 1908 and 1948 Olympic Games in London, the journey from Beijing to London began, where the Games will be held in the heart of one of the world's most culturally vibrant, diverse and sports passionate cities.
As the creative capital of the world, London leads its performance tonight with music and dance, showcasing the very best of British talent and diversity in performances that reflect key themes of the London 2012 Games- sport, culture, social change, urban transformation, and changing lives- all inspired by young people and our vision to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The performance highlighted the artistic creativity, energy, and passion for sport, art and culture that London and the UK will bring to the 2012 Games.
The Handover segment was led by special guest performers from London whose achievements demonstrate the power of sport, music and art to cross barriers and divided in ways where talent and creativity can be celebrated and enjoyed the world over- from our Rock royalty to the current global star urban pop, to one of our greatest global sporting heroes. These include global football hero, David Beckham, new international singing sensation, Leona Lewis and legendary Led Zeppelin rock group guitarist, Jimmy Page.
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad provides a contemporary interpretation of the vision of the founder of the modern Olympic Movement Pierre de Coubertin
Pierre de Coubertin
Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin was a French educationalist and historian, founder of the International Olympic Committee, and is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games...
for the Games as an international festival of sport and culture for the athletes and youth of the world.
An airport electronic flight screen appeared on the large screen of the Stadium. An athlete about to leave walks up the boarding ladder and turns around affectionately. In special-effect lighting, the boarding ladder truck with the logo of Beijing Olympic Games is slowly elevated. He slowly takes out an exquisite painting scroll and unfolds it. In the dark, a huge mechanic device — the "memory tower" at the center of the field — rises slowly, with two "sports sculpture" performers standing on top of it and showing various athletic gestures.
The rim of the bowl changed into a red track. Special lights cast scenes of the 16 days from the lighting of the holy flame to now onto the track in the air. At the center of the field, two "sports sculpture" performers rise gradually and show different athletic gestures slowly in the air, conveying the noble Olympic spirit. The athlete on the boarding ladder looks at the burning flame in the distance, and slowly folds the painting scroll, just as the flame was about to be extinguished. A huge "holy flame" is lighted at the center of the field (396 "memory tower" performers simulate the flame with their bodies) as the Olympic flame took its final breath.
Later events
Sequence- Performers on a tall pillar (called the memory tower), waving arms and symbolizing the Olympic flame, eternally not extinguished. Performers group to form Chrysanthemums, with hurdle runners on top of the pillar. Performers then re-climb the pillar, which is then covered in huge red streamers. Roses are formed along with athletes below (with pillar as a stigmaGynoeciumGynoecium is most commonly used as a collective term for all carpels in a flower. A carpel is the ovule and seed producing reproductive organ in flowering plants. Carpels are derived from ovule-bearing leaves which evolved to form a closed structure containing the ovules...
), the athlete crowds as petals. Red streamers are levitated upward and reveal the performers arranged in the form of Dancing BeijingDancing BeijingDancing Beijing is the name of the official emblem of the 2008 Summer Olympics, which took place in Beijing in the People's Republic of China. It was unveiled in August 2003 in a ceremony attended by 2,008 people at Beijing's Temple of Heaven.-Description:...
, the 2008 Olympic logo. - Fireworks.
- Song "Beijing Beijing, I Love BeijingBeijing Beijing, I Love Beijing"Beijing Beijing, I Love Beijing" is a Chinese song written by Kwan Ju and performed by Guan Zhe on the official Beijing 2008 album.At the 2008 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in Beijing, the song was performed by Hong Kong singer Kelly Chen, Chinese singer Han Xue, Taiwanese-American singer...
" (Běijīng Běijīng, Wǒ Ài Běijīng) by Chinese singer Tan Jing, Hong Kong singer Kelly ChenKelly ChenKelly Chen is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Kelly has also been known as a diva in Asia. She has a great success in Asia Entertainment industry with nearly 20 million record sales of 38 albums...
, Han Xue, Taiwanese-American singer Wang Lee Hom and Korean singer Rain. ErhuErhuThe erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a "southern fiddle", and sometimes known in the Western world as the "Chinese violin" or a "Chinese two-stringed fiddle". It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small ensembles...
instrumental; acrobats leap from the tower by wire. - Song The Moon is Bright Tonight.
- Song The Flame of Love.
- Song Surpass It
- Song Please Stay, Guests from Afar.
- Fireworks, Farewells back to walking tonight end fun footage conclusion of closing ceremony at 9:55 PM CST.
Synopsis
The torch lights in the hands of the marshals and the 90,000 audience members were turned on at the same time. In the passionate far-reaching music, 16 lucky cloud yarn strips slowly rose along the "memory tower" on the main stage. The top ends of the lucky cloud yarn strips extended towards the sky and changed into a lucky cloud tree symbolizing friendship and joy.
The concert section started. Chinese singer Tan Jing, Hong Kong singer Kelly Chen
Kelly Chen
Kelly Chen is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Kelly has also been known as a diva in Asia. She has a great success in Asia Entertainment industry with nearly 20 million record sales of 38 albums...
, Han Xue, Taiwanese-American singer Wang Lee Hom and Korean singer Rain sing together "Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing", a song full of passion, vitality and energy.
Next, seven singers walked from below the steps to the Main Stage and sang "The Moon is Bright Tonight". Two Chinese and foreign singers on the mobile singing performance car went from Gate 1 to the front of the VIP corridor, and sang "The Flame of Love". Two singers on the main stage saing the joyous and passionate song "Surpass It".
At this point, there were 50 young singers together. At the same time, 75 aerobatic performers wearing luminous flight clothes performed elevation and rotation in the air.
During the final song "Please Stay, Guests from Afar", 50 male dancers holding Fuwa lucky cloud yarn strips and paper flower launchers and 120 other dancers danced on the Main Stage in tune with the rhythm of the song. Also, 600 female performers in festival clothes entered the stadium, flew around the athletes and danced with all athletes in the stadium and 1,046 marshals in tune with the rhythm of the song, forming a spectacular dance circle.
Finally, 600 female performers in festive clothes, 112 performers of minority ethnic groups, 50 male dancers, 70 collectors of launched red silk and 200 "memory tower" performers threw the Fuwa lucky cloud yarn strips into the stadium, interacting with the athletes. At the same time, innumerable dazzling fireworks were launched from the top of the "bowl rim". Then, numerous festival fireworks formed a huge circle of fireworks, symbolizing the successful conclusion of 2008 Summer Olympics. The closing ceremony ended at 9:55 pm CST.
Television
Estimates of the global television audience varied: "around one billion" (ReutersReuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
), "experts estimated ... more than two billion" (Wall Street Journal), "2.3 billion" (MindShare), "Billions...probably the largest live television audience in history" (Bloomberg
Bloomberg L.P.
Bloomberg L.P. is an American privately held financial software, media, and data company. Bloomberg makes up one third of the $16 billion global financial data market with estimated revenue of $6.9 billion. Bloomberg L.P...
), "3 billion" (Sky News
Sky News
Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
), "nearly 4 billion" (Xinhua, "as many as 4 billion" (Washington Post), "estimated 4 billion" (McClatchy
The McClatchy Company
The McClatchy Company is a publicly traded American publishing company based in Sacramento, California. It operates 30 daily newspapers in 15 states and has an average weekday circulation of 2.2 million and Sunday circulation of 2.8 million...
). This included an estimated 842 million viewers watching on host Chinese broadcaster China Central Television
China Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
(CCTV), with polls ranging from 63 and 69 percent of the Chinese viewing population, exceeding that of the 51-58 percent who watch the network's annual closing ceremonies forms.