OLYMPICS /
News
Highlights of London handover performance
Xinhua
Updated: 2008-08-24 21:50
BEIJING--The following are the highlights of the London 2012 Olympic Games handover performance at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday night.
London 2012 presents a spectacular eight-minute cultural performance heralding the start of the four-year countdown to the next Olympic Games.
-- The dramatic transformation of the bus into a stage for the headline performers as the roof opens out into petal-shaped sections. The scene inside is predominantly green with lush grass and a hedge cut into the shape of the London skyline. This reflects the greenness of London and the UK -- from green fields, Royal Parks and country gardens to famous sports fields: the green lawn courts of Wimbledon, the new Wembley and Lord's Cricket Ground -- all of which are venues for the London 2012 Games.
The transformation of the famous London bus also provides a powerful example of the urban and practical being transformed into the dynamic and spectacular, symbolizing London's vision to use the power of the Games as a catalyst for change.
-- Appearance of three great Team GB cycling Olympians chasing the bus -- Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Shanaze Reade -- enable the people to celebrate the central role of athletes in the London Games, the unprecedented success of Team GB at the Beijing Games, and particularly the outstanding medal haul of the Team GB cyclists.
-- A handover of a treasured English football by a child of the world to a child of London that takes place by the bus -- a symbolic gesture reflecting the importance of friendship and young people to the Olympic Movement.
-- The dramatic appearance of singer Leona Lewis and guitarist Jimmy Page on high-rising elevators, emerging from within the bus. Jimmy performs one of the most famous guitar riffs in the world -- a riff which he wrote. Jimmy and Leona then create a unique duet playing the Led Zeppelin classic, "Whole Lotta Love."
-- The child of London gives the football to worldwide soccer icon David Beckham, who kicks the ball to athletes gathered in the stadium for the closing ceremony. This symbolizes the power of sport to unite the world and the importance of sport for young people, a central theme of the London 2012 Games.
