Olympic Closing Ceremony 2012: Top Sights and Moments from Terrific Final Event

It was a fitting end to the 2012 London Olympics. 

With just a few minor exceptions, the Summer Olympics from London went off without a hitch. Great Britain performed magnificently as the host nation; every country not only brought home medals to their adoring fans, but also pride; and for a few weeks, the world was brought together. 

It was exactly how the Olympics should be, and with an appropriate ending, the closing ceremony was just as perfect.

Let's take a closer look at some of the best moments so far. 

Host Nation Pride

The United States and China may be at the top of the medal table, but there's no question that these Games were the best for Great Britain.

The host nation finished fourth in the overall medal count, increasing its total medals by 16 from 2008, bringing success and pride back to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. 

It's summed up perfectly with this awesome picture (via London 2012):

"

Pic: Aerial view of the spectacular red, white and blue Olympic Stadium field of play #ClosingCeremony twitter.com/London2012/sta…

— London 2012 (@London2012) August 12, 2012"

It doesn't get much better than that.

Musical Acts

Great Britain not only displayed its athletic prowess during these Games, it displayed plenty of musical chops during the closing ceremony.

Madness got it started by performing "Our House" (via London 2012):

"

Madness perform their hit ‘Our House’ – a song that evokes the tolerance and inclusiveness of cosmopolitan London #ClosingCeremony

— London 2012 (@London2012) August 12, 2012"

Other performers included The Pet Shop Boys, One Direction (the first UK group to debut at No. 1 with their first album in the United States), George Michael, the Kaiser Chiefs, Ed Sheeran and of course, the Spice Girls.

London 2012 sums up just exactly what all this brilliant music from the closing ceremony means to the rest of the world:

"

We’re celebrating 50 years of British pop music which has underscored memories in lives around the world! #ClosingCeremony

— London 2012 (@London2012) August 12, 2012"

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