2008 Summer Olympics closing ceremony

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 post-introductory main ceremony began at 8:08 pm). The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture.

The musical acts included:

• British singer Leona Lewis and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page (with association football player David Beckham making an appearance)
• Hong Kong singer Andy Lau
• Hong Kong singer Kelly Chen, Joey Yung, Chinese American singer Wang Lee Hom and South Korean entertainer Rain
• Han Hong
• Jackie Chan

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, and there was a performance by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

Sequence of events

• Fireworks prelude, including a firework countdown above the National Stadium itself, at 8:00PM CST.
• Introduction of IOC members and Hu Jintao.
• Raising of the Chinese national flag, to the Chinese national anthem, March of the Volunteers.
• Performance by a troupe of drummers.
• Orange sparkling fireworks.
• Performers in translucent costumes, with some riding on circular objects.
• Flag bearers enter the stadium.
• Athletes enter the stadium.
• Athletes gather in the stadium, with drumming throughout the precession.
• Presentation of the final men's marathon medals; including the national anthem of Kenya: Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu, for the gold medallist.
• Presentation of twelve athlete volunteers and twelve child volunteers and closing of the Olympic pool.
• Raising of the Greek national flag, to the Greek national anthem, Hymn to Liberty.
• Welcoming of the President of the BOCOG, Liu Qi, and the IOC President, Jacques Rogge.
• Speech by Liu Qi in Mandarin Chinese, concluding in French with "merci beaucoup".
• Speech by the IOC President, Jacques Rogge, in English, French and concluding in Mandarin, declaring the Beijing Games "truly exceptional". He closes the Games.
• Raising of the Union Flag, to the national anthem of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen".
• Lowering of the Olympic Flag and singing of the Olympic Anthem.
• Handing of the Seoul Olympic Flag by Mayor of Beijing Guo Jinlong to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson.
• Fireworks representing the Olympic rings.
• Eight minutes of presentation of the 2012 London Olympics.
  • A British Modern Cultural Performance, involving a double decker bus, bicycles and commuters.
  • Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page perform "Whole Lotta Love".
  • Appearance by David Beckham, who kicked a ceremonial football into the rows of volunteers.
• Procession of performers on an airport terminal staircase, with events during the 2008 Olympics on-screen.
• Extinguishing of the Olympic Flame, following a recitation of the 16 days of Olympic competition and of the Ancient Greek competition.
• Performers on a tall pillar, waving arms and symbolising the Olympic flame, eternally unextinguished. Performers group to form Chrysanthemums, with hurdle runners on top of the pillar. Performers then reclimb the pillar, which is then covered in red sheets. Roses are formed along with athletes below (with pillar as a stigma), the athlete crowds as petals. Red sheets are levitated upward and reveal a yellow side.
• Fireworks.
• Song "Beijing Beijing, I Love Beijing" (Běijīng Běijīng, Wǒ Ài Běijīng) by Hong Kong singer Kelly Chen, Chinese-American singer Wang Lee Hom and Korean singer Rain. Erhu instrumental; acrobats leap from the tower by wire.
• Soprano group singing of Chinese folk song "The Moon is Bright Tonight".
• Opera tenor Plácido Domingo and Chinese singer Song Zuying sing "Ài de Huǒyàn (The Flame of Love)" (composed by Bian Liunian and Klaus Badelt).
• Song "Tomorrow's World".
• Song "Hard to say Goodbye" led by Chinese stars such as Wei Wei, Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Karen Mok, Joey Yung, Emil Chau and many other singers along with many others representing the 56 ethnic groups of modern China
• Song "Surpass It".
• Fireworks, Pyrotechnics & Ethnic Dancing.
• Farewells.
• Conclusion of Closing Ceremony at 9:55PM CST.