The ceremony had something for everyone, from tween girls to s hippies. The face of John Lennon appeared on the stadium floor, assembled by fragments of sculpture, and just as quickly gave way to George Michael, Fatboy Slim and Annie Lennox. Eight minutes were turned over to Brazil, host of the Games in Rio de Janeiro, which delivered an explosion of samba, sequins and Latin cool. Following tradition, the mayor of London handed the Olympic flag off to his Rio counterpart. Britons, who had fretted for weeks that the games would become a fiasco, were buoyed by their biggest medal haul since — 29 golds and 65 medals in all.
While the games may have lacked some of the grandeur of the Beijing Olympics in , there were more than a few unforgettable moments. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt became an Olympic legend by repeating as champion in both the meter and meter sprints. Michael Phelps ended his long career as the most decorated Olympian in history.
British distance runner Mo Farah became a national treasure by sweeping the 5, and 10,meter races, and favorite daughter Jessica Ennis became a global phenomenon with her victory in the heptathlon. Albert R. Hunt Tom Mankiewicz Michael Kitchen. Connery Dr. On Her Majesty's Secret Service. The Living Daylights Licence to Kill. James Bond Jr. As athletes answered questions, she would add her own commentary as an addendum. In another place, perhaps, it might have been presumptuous.
But there she was, a grandmotherly figure in her Olympics-issue purple shirt and orange epaulets, telling Gabby Douglas how beautiful her smile was, and in saying so, making it just a little brighter. And most of all, Britain's Olympics were in the Union Jack, because it was everywhere.
Six years ago at the soccer World Cup in Germany , the success of the home team liberated many in the country from a sense of shame for the past, and for the first time, it seemed, German national flags flew high and without apology.
Some here have said that these Olympics have had a similar, though subtler effect on the host nation, freeing the British consciousness from the latent guilt of an imperial past. If it is true, then that, too, was all to the good, because it helped to create that space for the proper pride of all nations to flourish and feel at home. The Union Jack did not threaten, but invited us all to join in its joys, which is the rarest and most precious of all Olympic achievements for a host nation. Who did not cry with Jessica Ennis or watch Mo Farah with eyes wide?
No one does understatement with more passion than the British, and four years after a Games that were wonderful in their own right, that was just what Dr. Rogge ordered — a nation that did not need the spotlight for itself, but instead provided sport's biggest moment with a perfect stage.
Already a subscriber? Monitor journalism changes lives because we open that too-small box that most people think they live in. We believe news can and should expand a sense of identity and possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations.
My work in Kenya, for example, was heavily influenced by a Christian Science Monitor article I had forced myself to read 10 years earlier. If you were to come up with a punchline to a joke about the Monitor, that would probably be it. But you know what? We change lives. We have a mission beyond circulation, we want to bridge divides. And we can prove it. Your subscription to The Christian Science Monitor has expired.
You can renew your subscription or continue to use the site without a subscription. If you have questions about your account, please contact customer service or call us at Olympic Closing Ceremony — A general view of the stadium. Olympic Closing Ceremony — 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. Olympic Closing Ceremony — A Mexican athlete wearing a wrestler's mask parades during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony — An athlete from Germany parades through the stadium during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. Olympic Closing Ceremony — Flagbearers carry the flags of the countries that participated in the Olympics.
Olympic Closing Ceremony — The Olympic cauldron burns during the closing ceremony. Olympic Closing Ceremony — Flagbearers parade during the closing ceremony. Olympic Closing Ceremony — Athletes gather in the center of the stadium to form a giant, living rendition of the British Union Jack. Olympic Closing Ceremony — A female athlete from Germany rides on the shoulders of a male teammate during the closing ceremony. Olympic Closing Ceremony — Spectators applaud the ceremony from high above the floor.
Olympic Closing Ceremony — A general view shows the vastness of the stadium. Olympic Closing Ceremony — The sun sets over the Olympic Stadium few minutes before the start of the closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games. Look back at photos from the opening ceremony. Coe said these "two glorious weeks" would "inspire a generation. 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. Photos: Day The best photos of the Olympics. Day The best photos of the Olympics — Yonas Kifle of Eritrea is cheered by spectators as he competes in the men's marathon on day 16 of the London 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 Day The best photos of the Olympics — U.
Day The best photos of the Olympics — Croatia's Josip Pavic, center, celebrates with his teammates after Croatia defeated Italy in the men's water polo gold medal match. Day The best photos of the Olympics — Cuba's Livan Lopez Azcuy, left, wrestles Azerbaijan's Jabrayil Hasanov in their men's kilogram freestyle bronze medal match. Day The best photos of the Olympics — 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.
Day The best photos of the Olympics — 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. Day The best photos of the Olympics — The Bulgarian team performs during the group all-around rhythmic gymnastics final.
Day The best photos of the Olympics — Tamara Vega of Mexico riding Douce de Roulad from her mount in the women's modern pentathlon. Day The best photos of the Olympics — Czech Republic's Jaroslav Kulhavy is overcome by the moment after winning the men's cycling cross-country mountain bike race.
Day The best photos of the Olympics — Goalkeeper Josip Pavic of Croatia makes a save during the men's water polo gold medal match between Croatia and Italy. Day The best photos of the Olympics — France's players are joyous after winning the men's gold medal handball match between Sweden and France.
Day The best photos of the Olympics — India's Sushil Kumar reacts during his fight against Japan's Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu in their men's kilogram freestyle gold medal wrestling match.
0コメント