Olympics Day 16: ‘Glorious’ Games come to an end

Richard Allen Greene and Steve Almasy, CNN
Updated 11:58 PM EDT, Sun August 12, 2012
Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 12. Check out photos from the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/27/worldsport/gallery/olympic-opening-ceremony/index.html" target="_blank">opening ceremony.</a>
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
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.
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Athletes from Great Britain parade during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Athletes from Great Britain parade during the closing ceremony.
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From left, London Mayor Boris Johnson, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes enter the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
From left, London Mayor Boris Johnson, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes enter the stadium.
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A French athlete carries her nation's flag as the French team parades through the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A French athlete carries her nation's flag as the French team parades through the stadium.
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British actor Timothy Spall portrays Winston Churchill during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British actor Timothy Spall portrays Winston Churchill during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Actors perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Actors perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
An actor waves a Union Jack from atop a mockup of the Big Ben tower.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
An actor waves a Union Jack from atop a mockup of the Big Ben tower.
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Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Artists wave Union Jack flags as they perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists wave Union Jack flags as they perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
The ceremony featured replicas of several London landmarks, including Tower Bridge and the giant Ferris wheel known as London Eye.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The ceremony featured replicas of several London landmarks, including Tower Bridge and the giant Ferris wheel known as London Eye.
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Another view of the performance by the British percussion group Stomp.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Another view of the performance by the British percussion group Stomp.
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Members of the British percussion group Stomp pound trash cans during their performance.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Members of the British percussion group Stomp pound trash cans during their performance.
AFP/Getty Images
A rendition of London's Big Ben makes an appearance in the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A rendition of London's Big Ben makes an appearance in the closing ceremony.
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British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber performs.
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Acrobats perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Acrobats perform during the closing ceremony.
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Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Actors dressed as Batman and Robin perform a segment from an episode of the British television comedy, "Only Fools and Horses."
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Actors dressed as Batman and Robin perform a segment from an episode of the British television comedy, "Only Fools and Horses."
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Actors perform in the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Actors perform in the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
The Household Division Ceremonial State Band perform the song "Parklife," originally done by the British rock band Blur.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The Household Division Ceremonial State Band perform the song "Parklife," originally done by the British rock band Blur.
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Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande performs "Read All About It" during the closing ceremony at Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande performs "Read All About It" during the closing ceremony at Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
A general view of the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A general view of the closing ceremony.
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The British pop group One Direction performs "What Makes You Beautiful."
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The British pop group One Direction performs "What Makes You Beautiful."
AFP/Getty Images
Madness perform their 1982 hit "Our House" during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Madness perform their 1982 hit "Our House" during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Annie Lennox performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Annie Lennox performs.
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Annie Lennox performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Annie Lennox performs during the closing ceremony.
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Brian May of Queen performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Brian May of Queen performs during the closing ceremony.
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Artists form a sculpture representing the face of John Lennon during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists form a sculpture representing the face of John Lennon during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Spain's sailor Marina Alabau Neira shows her gold medal during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Spain's sailor Marina Alabau Neira shows her gold medal during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
The Pet Shop Boys perform their evocative song about London, "West End Girls." The duo originally released the song in 1985.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The Pet Shop Boys perform their evocative song about London, "West End Girls." The duo originally released the song in 1985.
AFP/Getty Images
British group Madness, led by lead singer Graham McPherson, perform their 1982 hit, "Our House."
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British group Madness, led by lead singer Graham McPherson, perform their 1982 hit, "Our House."
AFP/Getty Images
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.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
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.
AFP/Getty Images
Chas Smash and lead singer Graham Suggs McPherson of Madness perform.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Chas Smash and lead singer Graham Suggs McPherson of Madness perform.
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British artist George Michael performs at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British artist George Michael performs at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Global artist George Michael performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Global artist George Michael performs.
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Athletes fill the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Athletes fill the Olympic stadium.
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British singer George Michael performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British singer George Michael performs.
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Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
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Entertainer Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Entertainer Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
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British comedian Russell Brand, center, performs at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British comedian Russell Brand, center, performs at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
The athletes of the competing nations enter the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The athletes of the competing nations enter the stadium.
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British comedian Russell Brand performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British comedian Russell Brand performs.
AFP/Getty Images
British DJ and producer Fat Boy Slim performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British DJ and producer Fat Boy Slim performs.
AFP/Getty Images
Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Dancers take part inside the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Dancers take part inside the Olympic stadium.
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Fat Boy Slim, aka Norman Cook, during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fat Boy Slim, aka Norman Cook, during the closing ceremony.
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General view taken during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
General view taken during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
British singer Jesse J inside the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British singer Jesse J inside the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Jessie J performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Jessie J performs during the closing ceremony.
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Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Taio Cruz performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Taio Cruz performs during the closing ceremony.
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A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
British rap singer Tinie Tempah performs at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British rap singer Tinie Tempah performs at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks explode over the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fireworks explode over the stadium.
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Brian May of Queen performs alongside Jessie J.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Brian May of Queen performs alongside Jessie J.
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Fireworks explode over the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fireworks explode over the stadium.
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Matthew Bellamy of Muse performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Matthew Bellamy of Muse performs during the closing ceremony.
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A performer stands on top of a giant cannon.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A performer stands on top of a giant cannon.
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Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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British comedian Eric Idle performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British comedian Eric Idle performs.
AFP/Getty Images
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Eric Idle performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Eric Idle performs during the closing ceremony.
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Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Dutch athletes parade during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Dutch athletes parade during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Chachi Valencia, alias The Rocket Man, is propelled in the air at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Chachi Valencia, alias The Rocket Man, is propelled in the air at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
From left, Geri Haliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham and Melanie Brown of the Spice Girls reunite for the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
From left, Geri Haliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham and Melanie Brown of the Spice Girls reunite for the closing ceremony.
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Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls performs.
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Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm of The Spice Girls perform.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm of The Spice Girls perform.
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The Spice Girls perform at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The Spice Girls perform at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
A high-wire artist performs during a rendition of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A high-wire artist performs during a rendition of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."
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Roger Daltrey of The Who performs during the finale of the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Roger Daltrey of The Who performs during the finale of the closing ceremony.
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Girls perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Girls perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
From left, Spice Girls Victoria Beckham, Gerie Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
From left, Spice Girls Victoria Beckham, Gerie Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Actors ride scooters during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Actors ride scooters during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks explode over the stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fireworks explode over the stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Ballerina Darcey Bussell performs with the Royal Ballet.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Ballerina Darcey Bussell performs with the Royal Ballet.
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Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Ballet dancer Darcey Bussell descends into the stadium on a phoenix.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Ballet dancer Darcey Bussell descends into the stadium on a phoenix.
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