London 2012 Closing Ceremony: Great Britain Ends Games with Perfect Final Event

With a beautiful visual and musical display at the Closing Ceremony, the 2012 London Olympics ended in perfect fashion.

Creative director Kim Gavin—orchestrator of the 2007 Concert for Diana and the recent Take That tours—did a wonderful job directing the final event of the Games, which provided a fitting a conclusion to the two-plus weeks of competition.

There were over 4,100 live performers, most of whom were adult volunteers, while 380 London schoolchildren also participated. The show ran for nearly three hours and included several magical moments.

Great Britain's diverse musical history was highlighted throughout the event, as everything from Paul McCartney to The Pet Shop Boys to One Direction was featured. It's nearly impossible to cover over 50 years of rock and pop music, but Gavin's show flowed effortlessly, and viewers of all ages were treated to some of their favorite and most influential musical acts.

Of course, it wasn't just the music that made the Closing Ceremony so special. The final night of the Games is meant to celebrate the amazing physical accomplishments that occurred in the days prior, and the parade of nearly 10,000 athletes was a humbling experience for any viewer.

As the nations were announced one-by-one, the faces in the parade beamed with happiness and pride. Whether they won gold medals in every event, like Usain Bolt, or failed to medal, like the vast majority of athletes, the parade at the Closing Ceremony reminded everyone that just making the Olympics is an incredible achievement.

It was a summer to remember in London, and thanks to the efforts of Gavin and his crew, the Closing Ceremony was the perfect spectacle to end the world's time in Great Britain.