London 2012:‘Happy and glorious’

Dinesh WEERAWANSA reporting from England

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge declared the London 2012 Olympic Games ‘happy and glorious’ as the spectacular closing ceremony brought the curtain of the XXXth Olympiad down in the British capital. “'We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the much-needed heroes of these Games,” the IOC chief Rogge said when declared the Games closed just before midnight on Sunday.

He also thanked the public for their enthusiastic support to make the 204-nation Games a huge success. “You, the spectators and the public, provided the soundtrack for these Games. Your enthusiastic cheers energised its competitors and brought a festive spirit to every Olympic venue,” the IOC President said.

Chairman of the organising committee LOGOC, Sebastian Coe thanked the hundreds of thousands of people who helped to make the last 16 days a success during the stunning ceremonial finale to the Olympic Games. “The British people got behind London's bid and they got behind London's Games. Our Opening Ceremony proclaimed that these would be a Games for everyone. At our Closing Ceremony, we can say that these were a Games by everyone,” the former British Olympic gold medallist said.

In addition to thanking those who built the venues and helped organise the Games, Coe played tribute to the sportsmen and sportswomen who participated in London for their outstanding performances. “To all the Olympians who came to London to compete - thank you. Those of us who came to watch witnessed moments of heroism and heartbreak that will live long in the memory. You have our admiration and our congratulations,” he added.

Coe said he was stunned with the huge crowds which attracted the Games from day one. “On the first day of these Games I said we were determined to do it right. I said that these Games would see the best of us. On this last day I can conclude with these words: When our time came - Britain, we did it right. Thank you,” he said as spectators at the packed stadium responded with a huge cheer. The grand finale of the Games saw the Olympic Flame extinguished in a spectacular sequence. Each participating team, including Sri Lanka, were given one of the Olympic Cauldron's petals to take home with them.

The spectacular ceremony also looked forward to the next summer Olympic Games in 2016, as the Olympic Flag was handed over to the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth 11 sent her a special message of congratulations after the event. “The outstanding performance of Team GB, in achieving the greatest Olympic success since 1908, will, I am sure, have inspired a new generation of Olympians and reminded us all how sport unifies communities and nations. I congratulate, too, the organisers of the Games, as well as the thousands of volunteers who have epitomised the Olympic spirit through the warm welcome they have shown to the sporting teams and spectators from all around the world,” she said.

The Olympic Village, which housed more than 10,500 athletes from 204 countries for almost a month, is gradually being vacated as sportsmen and women began their retiurn journey from Monday morning. Sri Lanka contingent too left the Olympic Village on Monday evening.

To make the things easier for the participating teams, checking of their baggage was done at the Village itself to be sent to their respective airlines direct.

They were even given their respective boarding passes before they left the Village, so that they could have a smooth passage without unnecessary delays at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

These athletes will take back happy memories in London, especially at the Plaza which was situated at the heart of the Olympic Village, away from the pressures of training and competition, the atmosphere is laid-back and informal. Almost every team had travelled to London with an array of banners to decorate their residential areas. Some were five or six storeys high, adding more than just a splash of colour.

At ground level, many teams had attached flags to the railings around their front doors. Then there were the national symbols - the emus outside Australia’s quarters are a natural photo opportunity, but it’s Canada’s big red moose that is the creature everyone wanted to have a pose with. All those would now be confined to sweet memories, photo graphs or video clippings that would definitely be preserved for their next generation - in fact to inspire a generation as the Games slogan said.

With almost half of the contingents set to vacate the Olympic Village by noon today, the Main Dining Hall is not busy as it was during the peak of the Games. Open round the clock, big enough to seat 5,000 people and serving food to suit every taste and cultural requirement, has been a hit with everyone. “The curries are really tasty,’ enthuses Luuka Jones, a competitor from New Zealand.

Around the Village are ‘grab and go’ carts for athletes on the run, street food stalls showcasing the best of contemporary British cuisine, and a very popular barbecue serving speciality sausages, steaks and salads. For those Village residents observing Ramadan, fasting packs too were available.

Even though the athletes’ every need is catered for, it’s always nice to have a little reminder of home as well. Perhaps that me be the reason for Puerto Rican team to bring their own stock of coffee with them. But not anymore! All the 10,500 competitors who were housed at the Olympic Village will be back in their hometowns within the next few days. After all, it's home sweet home!

- LONDON, Tuesday