 |
| Photo Credits: Reuters |
The world bid farewell to London on August 12th, after a frantic fortnight of Olympic competition. More than 10,000 athletes have competed for 302 gold medals in 26 sports, across 16 days. The eyes of the world have been firmly fixed on London, from the hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the globe who arrived to share the Olympic experience, to the billion plus people who have tuned in to watch events unfold on TV. And they've seen a
united London, a city that rose to the occasion and has basked in the spotlight.
 |
| An Olympic fan |
Great Britain's athletes achieved their greatest medal haul in over hundred years. But London 2012 is about much more than just sport. It's about the
70,000 volunteers who slipped into their purple outfits, every day without fail, to help the Games run smoothly. It's about the
1,000 plus troops who were drafted in at the last minute to help bolster security in the wake of the G4S fiasco - but did their duty without complaint. And it's about the
Britons who filled stadiums and venues, and lined the streets for every race, whatever the weather, wrapped in union flags and shouted themselves hoarse, roaring on athletes from every nation. Britain and London took the Olympics to its heart and wore the rings proudly.
 |
| Men's marathon on the final day |
Few cities in the world boast the kind of
landmarks London has in spades. And the organisers did their best to
show of the best of London - cleverly staging events so they showcased the capital's spectacular highlights. Visitors were given a healthy dose of the
city's royal heritage; from the the beach volleyball, which took place in a purpose-built stadium in the shadow of
Buckingham Palace; to the rowing events at Eton Dorney, overlooked by
Windsor Castle. The equestrian centre at Greenwich Park gave guests a taste of
London old and new, surrounded by the Naval College and Royal Observatory, and behind it the skyline of Canary Wharf. And on the final day, the men's marathon snaked around the city's ancient streets, finishing up on the mall.
Prime Minister David Cameron insisted Britain should be proud of the way London hosted the Olympics and its athletes dominated competition. He said: 'We showed the world what we're made of, we reminded ourselves of what we could do.' US President Barack Obama even telephoned David Cameron to offer his congratulations for a 'brilliant' London Olympics, Downing Street said. A Number 10 spokesman said: 'The President praised the organisation of the Games and the amazing performance of Team GB athletes. 'And he thanked the Prime Minister for the hospitality the UK had shown to the First Lady at the start of the Games and the US team ever since.' Mr Cameron in turn offered the UK's congratulations on the US team's 'astounding' medals table-topping performance and said Britain had 'thoroughly enjoyed' hosting its athletes.
 |
| PM David Cameron and a volunteer |
 |
| The Mayor of London among volunteers |
The Queen congratulated the athletes of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, saying their efforts had 'captured the public's imagination and earned their admiration'. As London 2012 drew to a close, the Queen said
Team GB's success - the best performance in more than a century - would inspire a new generation of Olympians and remind everyone how sport 'unifies communities and nations'. The Queen herself played a starring role in the Opening Ceremony for the Games, featuring in pre-recorded film scenes with Daniel Craig starring as James Bond, before appearing to parachute from a helicopter into the stadium.
'As a nation, we now look forward to the Paralympic Games and wish all athletes every success.'
 |
| Photo credits: PA |
You might also like to read
