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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 25 Aug 2008 Title: Olympic flame goes out at Bird's Nest -------------------- By Chang Ai-ling Beijing - As the Olympic flame went out at the Bird's Nest, Beijing turned the closing ceremony into a jolly farewell party. The closing extravaganza opened at 8pm with more than 90 000 audience members packing the stadium and counting down from 29, indicating the 29th Olympic Games. Fireworks burst out of the Bird's Nest as the countdown ended, forming a great circle in the sky, leaving the audience in awe. From "heavenly drums", silver bell danced to men flying in the air on wires. The host combined folk dances with modern techniques, staging an ebullient show of Chinese pride and imagination. Amid thundering music and roaring cheers, hundreds of athletes from 204 countries and regions walked into the stadium en masse. They mingled in the centre of the stadium, laughing, shouting, jumping, hugging and finally turning the evening gathering into a fun party. China's basketball superstar Yao Ming, easily recognisable in the crowd, was busy shaking hands, taking photos and receiving hugs from other athletes. A touching moment came when 12 representatives of volunteers, led by 12 children, walked to the centre of the stadium and were presented flowers by the new Olympic Committee members of the Athletes' Commission. "I've never expected this. I am glad that our efforts are appreciated," said Peking University student Tan Yini with a big smile on face, while watching the ceremony from the press tribune. "I enjoyed so much helping journalists and watching them work over the past days. I feel sad that this is all over and I probably will never see them again," said Tan, a volunteer from the press operations at the Bird's Nest. During the Games, about 100 000 Olympic volunteers worked day and night, helping athletes, officials, reporters, spectators and tourists in Beijing and the six co-host cities. Jacques Rogge, the IOC president, paid particular homage to the thousands of volunteers for their remarkable dedication, patience and endless smiles in his message to the closing ceremony. "You made the Games," said Mr Rogge. After the Olympic flag was lowered and handed over to London, the 2008 Olympic host staged a short ceremony to showcase the British enthusiasm. British famed footballer David Beckham stirred up the audience as he showed up and kicked off a football to mark the start of London's Olympic journey. At 9.25pm, the Olympic flame slowly went out and a huge "memory tower" elevated at the centre of the field with nearly 400 performances simulating the flame on it. The audience, waving luminous props in their hands, swung rhythmically and formed a sky with glittering stars. - BuaNews-Xinhua |
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