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Boris takes the flag again as Beijing games close
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard17.09.08
Boris Johnson accepted the Paralympic flag today, signalling the end of the 2008 Beijing Games and marking the run-up to London 2012.
The Mayor took part in the handover ceremony in the Bird's Nest stadium, which included the return of the double decker used in last month's Olympics closing ceremony.
But instead of Leona Lewis and David Beckham, a man dressed as Lord Nelson appeared on a column rising from the centre of the top deck.
In a move described as "respectfully irreverent", he swapped his eye patch for a pair of sunglasses and his sword for an electric guitar on which he played a riff.
Another section of the bus rose to reveal a strapping (and bearded) "tea lady" with a tea trolley laden with cakes and cucumber sandwiches.
Dancers performed before the bus was reassembled and driven out of the stadium, this time covered in the colours of the 2012 Paralympics.
The bus was led in by paralympic wheelchair basketball player and television presenter Ade Adepitan.
After the performance, paralympic medal winners walked in front of the bus - led by a dancer holding a single umbrella - to symbolise the start of its journey to London.
Speaking before the eight-minute display, Bill Morris, who was in charge of the performance for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, said: "This handover is a really crucial moment for every Olympic city.
"We chose Lord Nelson because it was felt everyone would recognise him and by putting him in shades and giving him the guitar he would appeal to young people. It's just eight minutes but there are a lot of energy shifts. It's a fun glimpse of what London is about."
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Johnson said: "It was an immense privilege to receive the Paralympic flag on behalf of London and I'd like to congratulate the Chinese for putting on such a fantastic and successful Paralympic Games.
"I'm extremely proud of the achievements of Paralympics GB, who have secured record numbers of medals this year and should be hailed as role models for us all."
Britain's Paralympians came second to China in the medals table, winning 42 golds and 102 medals overall.
