BEIJING, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- In another fireworks-hailed spectacular, London officially took over the reins of the next Olympics from China, which will continue to celebrate in the days and months ahead their euphoric achievement of 51 gold to dislodge the United States for the first time to top the Games.
London Mayor Boris Johnson received the Olympic flag carrying the familiar five interlocking rings from International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge in a symbolic handover.
In his customary speech, Rogge declared: "These were truly exceptional Games."
Amid the celebrations, the IOC chief began with a note of next month's Paralympics and extended his wishes to the disabled athletes, saying "they also inspire us.
"In another special for the night, Kenyan pride soared and so did their national flag for the victory of Samuel Wansiru in the men's marathon. He received his gold medal from Rogge in an unprecedented honour at an Olympics closing.
Thousands of athletes poured into the stadium from four directions and partied on the blue tarpaulin covered field to the beat of drums, songs and dances after 17 days of high pressure competition, tears and joy.
In the carnival air and the flags of the 204 contesting nations, even China's basketball 'giant' Yao Ming was hard to spot and the crowd roared when he was picked up by television cameras.
The greatest moment of the Games was a superb 9.69s world 100m record from Jamaica's Usain Bolt, which eclipsed even the scourge of doping that the Games still could not shake off.
For the first time, Malaysia had a woman flag bearer in the Olympic, young diver Elizabeth Jimie was given the honour.
So did China who passed the flag Yao Ming carried in the opening to 33-year-old Zhang Ning, who defended her badminton women's singles title, for the closing.
In a brief slot for the next Olympics host, London's famous street sight, the red double decker bus with a plate registration "LONDON 2012" rolled into the national Bird's Nest stadium and came to a stop in front of the VIP bus.
The top of the bus the unfolded into a mobile stage for a pulsating performance by singer Leona Lewis and guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame.
They were joined by England's most famous soccer face, David Beckham, who wasn't even born yet when London last hosted the Games in 1948 after its first time in 1908.
At a press conference earlier today, Rogge said London would be challenged by the "very high bar" set by China.
"So it's going to be a challenge for London and also all subsequent Games. My hope will be that London can even put the bar higher so we have this constant evolution and improvement of the Olympic Games," he said.
The icing on the cake for China was topping the medals table for the first time with 51 gold although the much hoped for gold from hurdler Liu Xiang went awry after he withdrew due to injury.
The United States ended with 36, the same as in Athens. Russia was third with 23 gold and the 2012 hosts were fourth with 19.
Also getting a roll call during Sunday night's ceremony were the four new members of the IOC Athletes Commission, who were elected by the 11,000 athletes here.
They were South Korea's Moon Dae Sung (taekwondo), Russia's Alexander Popov (swimming), Germany's Claudia Bokel (fencing) and Cuba's Yumilka Ruiz-luares (volleyball).
The commission is now headed by Namibia's former sprinting great Frankie Fredericks.
-- BERNAMA
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