From London to Rio de Janeiro

13 August 2012 02:10 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Olympic spotlight has now moved to Rio de Janeiro and South America's first shot at the Olympic Games.

The change came Sunday night at the end of the 2012 London Olympic's closing ceremony, just before the Olympic flame in the cauldron was doused.

The London Welsh Male Voice Choir and the London Welsh Rugby Club Choir sang the Olympic anthem as the Olympic flag was lowered. The flag was presented to Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes, who waved it four times, according to tradition.

Earlier in ceremony, audience members got a taste of what is to come in four years. A colourful show of samba and tribal dancers and an appearance by famous Brazilian soccer player Pele paraded through the arena.

The taste of Brazil also featured Capoeira fighters and a Copacabana sidewalk. But there is a serious side as well. Rio is an experiment in holding the games in less developed nations.

London Mayor Boris Johnson (centre L) hands over the Olympic flag to IOC President Jacques Rogge, as Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes (R) watches during the ceremonial handing over of the Olympic flag at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium August 12, 2012. REUTERS

Overall Medal Count

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes holds the Olympic flag after receiving it from IOC President Jacques Rogge (C), as London Mayor Boris Johnson (L) watches during the ceremonial handing over of the Olympic flag at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium August 12, 2012. REUTERS

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Comments - 12

Dadoriya Monday, 13 August 2012 03:35 AM

Thank god, it is not Sri Lanka!

Jagath Leanage Monday, 13 August 2012 03:40 AM

Well done England. Best show I have ever seen in my life time. Opening & closing ceremonies, organising the whole event is exemplery to all of us. Thank you "London 2012".

hrm Monday, 13 August 2012 04:39 AM

And wishing Rio for a spectacular event to come in four years !!

kuhan Monday, 13 August 2012 05:06 AM

why Asia wonder and Thunder Sri Lanka didn't compete ?

Minister Monday, 13 August 2012 05:54 AM

Thanks London. We highly appreciate your efforts. It was superb, fantastic and highly commendable!

Saman Monday, 13 August 2012 06:29 AM

Olympics in Sri Lanka = Hambantota 2060 lol

Hettiarachchi Monday, 13 August 2012 08:00 AM

If bidding for Olymics 2016 came earlier than bidding for tne incoming Commonwelth Games, Sri Lanka would have competed.

Anil Monday, 13 August 2012 10:56 AM

We can bid for Olympics 2020 as Hambantota will be the Riviera of the East.

Fusion Monday, 13 August 2012 11:30 AM

South Asia has over 1.5 billion people yet only 7 medal and no gold medals :o. 6 of medal were won by India which has 1.2 billion people. Quite depressing!

Shace-UK Monday, 13 August 2012 03:41 PM

We don’t have infrastructure, a goal or even a proper plan...UK dumped 120 million pounds for last 4 years on their athletes, a country of 60 million which is 3 times of SL produced 62 medals, with 20 million population we have won no medals in 2012, and it will be the same in 2016 unless the GOSL gets it priority right!!!

Dalu Banda Monday, 13 August 2012 04:07 PM

Where is Kabarala?

Ranil - UK Tuesday, 14 August 2012 12:48 PM

It is so foolish to compare UK with Sri Lanka - Shace. They are poles apart. Did you not listen to the speach by the Olympics Games chief Jacques Rogge, who said that London olympics cannot be compared to China, Greece or any other country and that cannot be done at all. So I think you need to think about that as well and think about priorities for the country. Just preaching what London Olympics Committee is saying is not good enough for Sri Lanka!!!

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From London to Rio de Janeiro

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