Thousands celebrate Games handover

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

As the closing ceremony began in China, flag waving crowds thronged into the Mall ahead of performances by acts including McFly, Will Young, Katherine Jenkins and the cast of Queen musical We Will Rock You.

Olympians including Sharron Davies, Sally Gunnell and Roger Black also came to take part in the event.

The mixed weather did little to dampen the spirits of waiting fans who enthusiastically greeted the appearance of McFly, who performed just before the symbolic handover.

They opened their set with a cover of Abba's The Winner Takes It All before performing Lies.

Big screens then linked up to the ceremony in Beijing, in which London had an eight-minute slot to mark the hand over to the capital.

Scotland's biggest city joined in the celebrations as around 2,000 people gathered to watch the handover broadcast live on a giant screen in Glasgow's George Square. They also looked on as the 2012 flag was raised over the City Chambers.

Glasgow, which is hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games, will be the venue for some football matches played at the 2012 Games and is an official Olympic City.

And Cardiff joined in with a celebratory event that saw parachutists from the Royal Parachute Regiment jumping out of a plane carrying the Union Flag and Olympic flags.

The Olympic flag landed in the water at Cardiff Bay, and was then brought to land by boat and passed to a group of young gymnasts, cyclists and rowers, all hoping to compete in the 2012 games.