The London 2012 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony saw Coldplay, one of
Britain's best selling music acts, joined by global superstars Rihanna
and Jay-Z in a spectacular celebration of achievements of the Paralympic
athletes and an amazing summer of sport.
Celebrating the
seasonal cycle of ancient and modern festivals that take place
throughout the year, world-class musical performances took the audience
on a journey through Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer.
The
ceremony also honoured servicemen and women, and particularly the work
of charity Help for Heroes, with Captain Luke Sinnott, a double amputee,
climbing to the top of the flag pole to hoist the Union Flag. A
motorcade of weird and wonderful vehicles then stormed into the Olympic
Stadium, as ex-serviceman Rory Mackenzie delivered a rousing speech.
The
evening also saw the Paralympic Flag was handed over to Mayor of Rio de
Janeiro Eduardo Paes, cueing a colourful musical performance by Rio
2016.
At the end of the night, as the Paralympic Flame began to
fade, ParalympicsGB gold medallists Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock
transferred the Flame to a Paralympic Torch. They then proceeded to
light hundreds of torches held by members of the cast throughout the
field of play before it was extinguished.
The ceremony ended with
a spectacular fireworks display over the Olympic Stadium and Olympic
Park, followed by fireworks along the River Thames.
Led by
Closing Ceremonies Artistic Director Kim Gavin, Music Director David
Arnold and Designer Misty Buckley, the Closing Ceremony was overseen by
the same team of Executive Producers who have been in charge of all four
Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies, including Oscar-winning film
director Stephen Daldry.
