The Handover of the Paralympic Games from Beijing to London took place today in the Bird's Nest Stadium.
Paralympic Handover celebrations in Beijing
17 Sep 2008
Today, Boris Johnson once again recieved a Flag in the National Stadium in Beijing, this time it was the Paralympic Flag.
Following the Flag transfer, London performed an eight minute show which followed on from the Olympic Handover. The red London bus, young performers, innovative dance sequences, specially-composed music and iconic landmarks all made another appearance.
Among the performers in the show were Paralympic Ade Adepitan and Blue Peter competition winner Gareth Picken.
At the end of the show, the bus transformed to carry the London 2012 Paralympic logo. As it left the stadium it was accompanied by some of ParalympicsGB’s most successful competitors – David Weir, Shelly Woods, Eleanor Simmonds, David Roberts and the gold medal winning Boccia team – Nigel Murray, Dan Bently, Zoe Robinson and David Smith.
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee said: ‘The Beijing Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony was spectacular and we are proud to have taken part in it and to present a snapshot of London and the UK to the world.
Our show was a statement of intent that our Games will be inspiring and fun, and get the whole world involved. We are proud to be the next summer Paralympic Host City.
I congratulate Beijing for being superb hosts for both Games, to the Chinese team for topping the Paralympic medal tables, and to ParalympicsGB for a stunning performance to come second.’
As the bus left to the Stadium, it was transformed to carry the London 2012 Paralympic logo.
