The London Olympics 2012 is coming to a close on Aug. 12. The event began in London on July 27 with more than 10,000 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees participating.
Following a bid headed by former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe and then-Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, London was selected as the host city on July 6, 2005 during the 117th IOC Session in Singapore. The bid to hold the event in London successfully defeated bids from Moscow, New York City, Madrid, and Paris. London, in the process, became the first city to officially host the modern Olympic Games three times, having previously done so in 1908 and in 1948.
The grapevine has been abuzz with names of artistes who will perform at the London 2012 Closing Ceremony. Taking over from Danny Boyle, who orchestrated the Opening Ceremony, is Kim Gavin. He will direct the Closing Ceremony that will feature over 4,000 performers. Artistes like Muse, the Spice Girls, George Michael, and Jessie J are said to be performing at the event. Moreover, the rumor mill suggests that Adele and Take That may take the stage as well. No confirmation on the same is available.
Popular band Blur will also be playing at a separate closing-night concert in Hyde Park, along with New Order and the Specials. Just like the Opening Ceremony, the music from the Closing Ceremony will be sold as a collection of online moments. London Mayor Boris Johnson will hand over the Olympic flag to IOC President Jacques Rogge, who will then hand it to Rio de Janiero Mayor Eduardo Paes.
A host of channels will broadcast the event. Below is the list of channels that will broadcast the Closing Ceremony:
USA - NBC (also live stream)
Canada - CTV, TSN, RDS Reseau des Sports and Reseau Info-Sports, Omni Television, Rogers Sportsnet, OLN
Great Britain - BBC
Australia - Foxtel, Nine Network
New Zealand - Prime, Sky TV
South Africa - SABC, SuperSport
Although NBC will be live-streaming the Olympics via YouTube, note that it isn't free (although NBC claims that). Basically, to be able to access the video one would require a cable subscription to the channel.
The Closing Ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London takes place on August 12 at 9PM BST (4PM ET/1PM PT).
