Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 12. Check out photos from the opening ceremony.
London (CNN) -- Legendary track star and chairman of the London Organizing Committee Sebastian Coe congratulated his fellow Britons for a "glorious" Olympic Games on Sunday night.
"When our time came, Britain, we did it right," Coe told the 80,000 gathered at Olympic Stadium for the closing ceremony.
Coe said these "two glorious weeks" would "inspire a generation."
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge declared the London Games officially over.
He echoed Coe's sentiments.
Yonas Kifle of Eritrea is cheered by spectators as he competes in the men's marathon on day 16 of the London 2012 Olympics, Sunday, August 12, the last day of the Games. See all the action as it unfolded here, and check out the best images from day 15 of competition on Saturday, August 11.
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"These were happy and glorious Games," he said. "The legacy of the Games of the 30th Olympiad will become clear in many ways. Concrete improvements in infrastructure will benefit the host nation for years to come. The human legacy will reach every region of the world. Many young people will be inspired to take up a sport or to pursue their dreams."
As the Games came to a close, the United States led the medal count with 104 overall, 46 of them gold.
China finished second, with 87 medals, with Russia third with 82. Great Britain finished with 65, its best total since 1908.
Singers from all eras performed. There was rock great Ray Davies, pop heroes George Michael and Annie Lennox, and new boy-band One Direction. Even comedian Russell Brand joined in, singing The Beatles "I Am The Walrus."
The crowd gave the Spice Girls a rousing ovation after they performed two of their hits.
Other performers payed tribute to some of the artists who didn't attend or had passed away.
Singers Jessie J and Taio Cruz teamed with rapper Tinie Tempah to sing "You Should Be Dancing" by the Bee Gees (born on Isle of Man). Ed Sheeran led a quartet with Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, Richard Jones of the Feeling and Mike Rutherford of Genesis in covering "Wish You Were Here."
Later Monty Python actor Eric Idle led the crowd in singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."
To close the music medley Jessie J also joined Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, belting out "We Will Rock You."
The Who closed out the ceremony with a medley of the band's hits, ending with "My Generation."
In a new twist, the 10,000-plus athletes entered the stadium through the stands, some high-fiving members of the audience as they descended the steps to the field.
There was also one final medal ceremony as Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda was awarded his marathon gold and listened along with the spectators to his national anthem.
The White House released a statement that said President Obama called British Prime Minister David Cameron congratulating London on an "extremely successful" games.
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One of the U.S. golds came as expected on the basketball court, but in a tougher contest than expected.
Led by Kevin Durant's 30 points, the United States fought off a stiff challenge from Spain to win the gold medal 107-100.
The Americans defended their title from four years ago in Beijing, also against Spain.
"This game was fun. It was a challenge, but we stepped up to it," Kobe Bryant told NBC, an official broadcaster of the Games.
LeBron James had 19 points and Bryant scored 17 for the Americans, who led by only one point after the third quarter.
"We all respect each other," Durant said. "We all know it's our common goal."
Russia narrowly edged out Argentina for the bronze.
London itself took center stage on the last day of the Olympics on Sunday, with the men's marathon course running past the city's major landmarks from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace.
Kiprotich won a thrilling race in 2:08:01, dueling for miles with early leader Wilson Kipsang of Kenya and his compatriot Abel Kirui.
The Kenyans worked together to try to box the Ugandan in, but as the race neared its end, he blew past them to finish with a commanding lead, giving Uganda its first medal of any color in these Games.
Read more: Nigeria's 12- year wait for Olympic gold
Kirui took silver and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich took the bronze, with Eritrea-born American Meb Keflezighi coming fourth, about three minutes behind the winner.
The hosts snatched yet another boxing gold medal later Sunday, with super heavyweight Anthony Joshua winning gold for Britain. Italy, whose Roberto Cammarelle won silver, launched an appeal after the fight ended 18-18. Joshua was awarded victory on countback -- using the scores of all five judges, not just the middle three scores.
"It was a tough first round. The judges will always do their job and I do my job," the champion said. "I have had close decisions in other tournaments but I just take it on the chin."
The Italian said the decision was curious.
"I did everything I could. I don't understand the score," he said. "Where did they get all the points they gave him at the end?"
Read more: Five things to watch at Olympics on Sunday
Team USA picked up another gold medal earlier, when Jacob Stephen Varner won the 96-kilogram freestyle wrestling contest.
"I came here to win a gold medal and that's what I've done," he said. "I played more defense then I wanted to, but it's awesome for the United States."
Uzbekistan's Artur Taymazov became first man to win three consecutive freestyle wrestling golds, defeating Davit Modzmanashvili of Georgia.
"I wanted to get the third gold," said Taymazov, who also won a silver at the Sydney Games in 2000. "There was also a time pressure, because I am 33. But it was my time."
At the 2000 Olympics, Greco-Roman wrestler Alexander Karelin won three straight golds and then a silver.
"I'm glad I have equaled his medal total," Taymazov said, "but he has won more world championships than I have won so I must do more over the next two seasons."
In men's water polo, Ratko Rudic guided Croatia to an 8-6 victory over Italy in the gold medal match, a record fourth win for the a coach. Rudic has led three nations -- Yugoslavia, Italy and his native Croatia -- to gold as well as winning a silver medal in 1980 as a player with Yugoslavia.
Laura Asadauskaite of Lithuania won the final gold medal of the London Games with an Olympic record score in the modern pentathlon.
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Athletes from Great Britain parade during the closing ceremony.
From left, London Mayor Boris Johnson, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes enter the stadium.
A French athlete carries her nation's flag as the French team parades through the stadium.
British actor Timothy Spall portrays Winston Churchill during the closing ceremony.
Actors perform during the closing ceremony.
An actor waves a Union Jack from atop a mockup of the Big Ben tower.
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Artists wave Union Jack flags as they perform during the closing ceremony.
The ceremony featured replicas of several London landmarks, including Tower Bridge and the giant Ferris wheel known as London Eye.
Another view of the performance by the British percussion group Stomp.
Members of the British percussion group Stomp pound trash cans during their performance.
A rendition of London's Big Ben makes an appearance in the closing ceremony.
British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber performs.
Acrobats perform during the closing ceremony.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
Actors dressed as Batman and Robin perform a segment from an episode of the British television comedy, "Only Fools and Horses."
Actors perform in the closing ceremony.
The Household Division Ceremonial State Band perform the song "Parklife," originally done by the British rock band Blur.
Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande performs "Read All About It" during the closing ceremony at Olympic stadium.
A general view of the closing ceremony.
The British pop group One Direction performs "What Makes You Beautiful."
Madness perform their 1982 hit "Our House" during the closing ceremony.
Annie Lennox performs.
Annie Lennox performs during the closing ceremony.
Brian May of Queen performs during the closing ceremony.
Artists form a sculpture representing the face of John Lennon during the closing ceremony.
A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Spain's sailor Marina Alabau Neira shows her gold medal during the closing ceremony.
The Pet Shop Boys perform their evocative song about London, "West End Girls." The duo originally released the song in 1985.
British group Madness, led by lead singer Graham McPherson, perform their 1982 hit, "Our House."
Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson is lifted into the air while playing "Our House," a reprise of what he did in the video for the song.
Chas Smash and lead singer Graham Suggs McPherson of Madness perform.
British artist George Michael performs at the Olympic stadium.
Global artist George Michael performs.
Athletes fill the Olympic stadium.
British singer George Michael performs.
Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
Entertainer Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
British comedian Russell Brand, center, performs at the Olympic stadium.
The athletes of the competing nations enter the stadium.
British comedian Russell Brand performs.
British DJ and producer Fat Boy Slim performs.
Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Dancers take part inside the Olympic stadium.
Fat Boy Slim, aka Norman Cook, during the closing ceremony.
General view taken during the closing ceremony.
British singer Jesse J inside the Olympic stadium.
Jessie J performs during the closing ceremony.
Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Taio Cruz performs during the closing ceremony.
A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
British rap singer Tinie Tempah performs at the Olympic stadium.
Fireworks explode over the stadium.
Brian May of Queen performs alongside Jessie J.
Fireworks explode over the stadium.
Matthew Bellamy of Muse performs during the closing ceremony.
A performer stands on top of a giant cannon.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
British comedian Eric Idle performs.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Eric Idle performs during the closing ceremony.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Dutch athletes parade during the closing ceremony.
Chachi Valencia, alias The Rocket Man, is propelled in the air at the Olympic stadium.
From left, Geri Haliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham and Melanie Brown of the Spice Girls reunite for the closing ceremony.
Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls performs.
Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm of The Spice Girls perform.
The Spice Girls perform at the Olympic stadium.
A high-wire artist performs during a rendition of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."
Roger Daltrey of The Who performs during the finale of the closing ceremony.
Girls perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
From left, Spice Girls Victoria Beckham, Gerie Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown perform during the closing ceremony.
Actors ride scooters during the closing ceremony.
Fireworks explode over the stadium during the closing ceremony.
Ballerina Darcey Bussell performs with the Royal Ballet.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Ballet dancer Darcey Bussell descends into the stadium on a phoenix.
Athlete Mark Lewis-Francis of Great Britain films teammates.
From left, British models Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and David Gandy perform at the Olympic stadium.
Model Kate Moss performs during the British fashion portion of the closing ceremony.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
British model Naomi Campbell, left, performs during the fashion segment of the ceremony.
Performers dance during the presentation by Rio de Janeiro, the next host city.
Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
An athlete waves a German flag during the athletes' parade at the Olympic stadium.
Brazilian artists perform.
Singer Marisa Monte performs as Rio de Janeiro, the next host city, makes its presentation.
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
The road to Rio is celebrated during the closing ceremony.
A general view of the stadium.
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
A view looking down into London's Olympic stadium shows a rendition of the Union Jack on the stadium floor as the closing ceremony gets under way.
A Mexican athlete wearing a wrestler's mask parades during the closing ceremony.
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
Athletes wave Irish flags at the Olympic stadium.
An athlete from Germany parades through the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Flagbearers carry the flags of the 204 countries that participated in the Olympics.
The Olympic cauldron burns during the closing ceremony.
Flagbearers parade during the closing ceremony.
Athletes gather in the center of the stadium to form a giant, living rendition of the British Union Jack.
A female athlete from Germany rides on the shoulders of a male teammate during the closing ceremony.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Athletes from the 30th Olympics enter Olympic stadium in London.
Athletes form a living Union Jack on the floor of Olympic stadium.
Spectators applaud the ceremony from high above the floor.
A general view shows the vastness of the stadium.
The sun sets over the Olympic Stadium few minutes before the start of the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The Olympic Cauldron burns at the center of the stadium.
The Olympic Cauldron burns during the closing ceremony. Look back at photos from the 
U.S. forward Carmelo Anthony, left, and Spanish center Serge Ibaka struggle for the ball during the men's gold medal basketball game between the United States and Spain.
Juan-Carlos Navarro Spain drives to the goal past Kevin Durant and Chris Paul of the United States.
U.S. players celebrate after defeating Spain to win the gold medal in men's basketball.
Croatia's Josip Pavic, center, celebrates with his teammates after Croatia defeated Italy in the men's water polo gold medal match.
Cuba's Livan Lopez Azcuy, left, wrestles Azerbaijan's Jabrayil Hasanov in their men's 66-kilogram freestyle bronze medal match.
France's centerback Daniel Narcisse, center, is challenged by pivot Tobias Karlsson, left, and right back Kim Andersson of Sweden during the men's gold medal handball match between Sweden and France.
Sweat flies off Anthony Joshua of Great Britain as he takes a punch from Roberto Cammarelle of Italy during the men's super heavyweight boxing final bout. Joshua went on to win the gold medal.
The Bulgarian team performs during the group all-around rhythmic gymnastics final.
Tamara Vega of Mexico riding Douce de Roulad from her mount in the women's modern pentathlon.
Czech Republic's Jaroslav Kulhavy is overcome by the moment after winning the men's cycling cross-country mountain bike race.
Goalkeeper Josip Pavic of Croatia makes a save during the men's water polo gold medal match between Croatia and Italy.
France's players are joyous after winning the men's gold medal handball match between Sweden and France.
India's Sushil Kumar reacts during his fight against Japan's Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu in their men's 66-kilogram freestyle gold medal wrestling match. Kumar won the silver medal.
Two Croatian players and a member of the coaching staff jump into the pool after winning the gold medal in men's water polo.
U.S. basketball players Kobe Bryant, Tyson Chandler and LeBron James head to the court before the start of the men's basketball gold medal game against Spain.
U.S. fans show their support at the men's gold medal basketball game between the United States and Spain at the North Greenwich Arena in London.
South Africa's Burry Stander, right, and Italy's Marco Aurelio Fontana navigate the course in the men's cross-country mountain bike race at Hadleigh Farm in Benfleet, England.
Abel Kirui of Kenya gives thanks after winning the silver medal in the men's marathon at The Mall in London.
Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana of Cuba celebrates winning the gold medal by defeating Tugstsogt Nyambayar of Mongolia in the men's boxing flyweight 52-kilogram final match.
Cheers and an array of cameras greet runners as they wind their way through the streets of London during the men's marathon.
Runners pound the streets of London during the men's marathon. Stephen Kiprotich won the race to give Uganda its first gold medal of the Games.
U.S. wrestler Jacob Varner celebrates after defeating Ukraine's Valerii Andriitsev in the men's 96-kilogram freestyle gold medal wrestling match in London.
Czech cyclist Jaroslav Kulhavy crosses the finish line ahead of Switzerland's Nino Schurter to win men's cross-country mountain bike race at Hadleigh Farm.
Tyson Chandler takes the ball to the hoop in the men's basketball gold medal game between the United States and Spain at North Greenwich Arena in London.
Kazakhstan boxer Serik Sapiyev enjoys the thrill of victory after defeating Freddie Evans of Great Britain in the men's welter 69-kilogram boxing final bout.
Livan Lopez Azcuy, in red, of Cuba grapples with Jabrayil Hasanov of Azerbaijan during the men's freestyle 66-kilogram wrestling bronze medal bout in London.
Cyclists speed through the course during the men's cycling cross-country mountain bike race at Hadleigh Farm.
Takao Isokawa, in blue, of Japan is taken down by Magomed Musaev of Kyrgyzstan in the men's freestyle wrestling 96-kilogram eighth-final match.
Hungary's pivot Szabolcs Zubai dives and takes a shot during the men's bronze medal handball match against Croatia.
Sushil Kumar, in blue, of India battles with Akzhurek Tanatarov of Kazakhstan during the men's freestyle wrestling 66-kilogram semifinal match.
Argentinian forward Andres Nocioni, left, challenges Russian center Timofey Mozgov during the men's bronze medal basketball game at the North Greenwich Arena. Russia won 81-77.
Athletes pass by Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster during the men's marathon.
Reza Mohammad Ali Yazdani of Iran is treated for an injury during the men's freestyle wrestling 96-kilogram semifinal match.
Carlos Delfino of Argentina reacts to a call during the men's basketball bronze medal game against Russia.
Dejected Bulgarian players look on during their loss to Italy in the men's volleyball bronze medal match.
Argentine guard Carlos Delfino, right, challenges Russia's Vitaliy Fridzon for the ball during the men's bronze medal basketball game.
Italy's Michal Lasko, left, and Ivan Zaytsev seal their victory with a kiss from loved ones after defeating Bulgaria in the men's volleyball bronze medal match.
Manu Ginobili, center, of Argentina drives down the lane during the men's basketball bronze medal game against Russia. See photos from the closing ceremony.
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