Welcome to the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. After 16 days of competition, we wanted to host a celebration of all that’s good about London, British people, our music and our culture. And capture the spirit that’s inspired so much global creativity over the past 50 years.

First, because these are London’s Games, we journey through a day in the life of the city – from early morning rush hour to glittering sunset – before moving on to an extended symphony, formed of some of the finest moments in British pop. A love letter to our invention and innovation, it’s the pop music you know and love – accompanied by eye-popping visuals.

Extinguishing the Olympic Flame is a poignant moment at any Games, the climax of two weeks in which the athletes’ endeavours and triumphs have caught the imagination of people across the globe. Our spectacular ‘Spirit of the Flame’ sequence represents the Flame’s everlasting nature – may it blaze brightly in the hands of its next custodians, our friends in Rio de Janeiro.

For the 10,490 athletes, who trained exhaustively to get here, the Games are over and it’s time to celebrate. We’ve called on some of the UK’s most successful musicians – and a cast of more than 3,500 volunteers – to help us do just that.

This is London calling… calling you to a party for the world.

In July 2005, when London was chosen to host the 2012 Olympic Games, Londoners began a thrilling journey. The first part of that journey ends today, as I pass the Olympic flag – along with our best wishes – to Mayor Paes of Rio de Janeiro. But this is not the end of our adventure. As they always do, the Olympic Games have reminded us of sport’s unique power to bring out the best in us, and to bring us together.

The Paralympic Games, which open in this Stadium in two weeks time, will do the same. But after the Paralympic Flag too has left these shores for Brazil, our Olympic Park will remain a beacon for sporting excellence. Its venues will inspire local communities and elite athletes alike, and its lawns will offer a hundred and one places to stretch the legs and fire the imagination.

And the legacy of the Games for London goes way beyond sport. Olympic investment has kickstarted a transformational renaissance in east London, bringing new jobs and new homes to the communities where they are most needed. The area now enjoys transport connections and communications infrastructure which, thanks to the added power of the Olympic spotlight, is already attracting investment from all over the world.

At a time of hardship, thousands of workless Londoners have found jobs thanks to the Games, and thousands more have been inspired to volunteer. London will cherish its Olympic legacy. I hope your memories of London’s Games last as long, and burn as bright.

The races have been run, the lengths have been swum, the medals have been awarded. This has been a truly spectacular Olympics, lit up by incredible sporting moments and an outpouring of national pride.

We’ve seen a new generation of heroes step into the spotlight – medal-winners who have inspired children around the world to try their best and keep trying until they succeed.

Then there are the heroes who made their mark behind the scenes: the volunteers who gave up their time to welcome the world to London; the workers who made these Games such a success. I want to thank each and every one of them.

But though the Games are drawing to a close, this isn’t the end of the story – far from it. This is just the start of the next chapter, where we build on the success of the Games to leave a lasting legacy in London and across the United Kingdom – a legacy that will be measured in new investment in our cities and a new passion for sport in our communities.

At the start of this Olympics our ambition was simple: the biggest possible celebration, the greatest possible participation and the best possible legacy.

I don’t think anyone can deny that London 2012 has achieved all of this and more.

As the athletes gather for the Closing Ceremony, and the world gets ready to say farewell to the Games of the XXX Olympiad, the time has come to say goodbye and thank you.

The Games have brought the world a little closer, lifted our hopes and horizons, and reminded us of our common humanity – that we are world citizens and that we strive for a better future for mankind.

Together we’ve delivered an Olympic Games for our world and for our times. Games for everyone – people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds – in a time of conflict. Games that have connected millions of young people around the world directly with sport and the Olympic values. Games focused on excellence without extravagance, in the global financial downturn. And Games delivered sustainably and responsibly, with a major emphasis on protecting the environment and scarce natural resources.

We thank and pay tribute to the British people, whose generosity of spirit and passion for sport made these Games possible. As well as the best athletes, we had the best volunteers, our Games Makers, who dedicated themselves to doing something positive for the world’s athletes, for their country, and for the world.

Thank you to the IOC for entrusting these Games to us – we hope we have met the high expectations for London 2012. Thank you to our wonderful partners and sponsors, for believing and investing in our vision for change. And thank you to the heroic men and women in uniform for keeping us from harm. And above all, thank you to the athletes.

When the world recalls London 2012, thoughts will return to a special time and place, to a journey through the mists of time to a ‘green and pleasant land’. We’ll remember inspiring accounts of the achievements of the athletes, stories of epic sporting contests, and extraordinary performances that captured the imagination of people everywhere, united our diverse planet and inspired a generation. Young people will think differently about the world after London 2012, knowing that it’s possible to achieve great things – to triumph over adversity, to change their circumstances and to believe in themselves. This will keep the Olympic ideal alive for future generations, until hopes of staging the Olympic Games begin to stir again, and we dream once more of welcoming you back to the ‘Isles of Wonder’.

It has been 16 days since the Olympic Flame ignited the cauldron here at the magnificent Olympic Stadium. Tonight the Flame will be extinguished, bringing a close to the Games of the XXX Olympiad.

What won’t be extinguished are all the special moments and memories created during London 2012, in particular the exceptional performances of the world’s best athletes.

We are here tonight to celebrate their achievements and applaud all the athletes who came to London to compete in a spirit of excellence, friendship and respect. It is thanks to them that the London 2012 Olympic Games will long be remembered as a benchmark for sporting excellence.

Of course, the Games would not have been such a success without the outstanding work of a host of different individuals and organisations. The passion for and support of the Games shown by the people of London and the United Kingdom deserve special praise as they helped create a unique and exciting environment for the athletes, visitors to the city and the billions of viewers watching around the world.

Thank you to the governments of London and the United Kingdom for your unwavering support of the organisation of the London Games. Our friends at the London 2012 Organising Committee should also take great pride in all that they accomplished. Your work from the very outset was simply outstanding.

I would also like to extend my highest praise to the unsung heroes of any edition of the Olympic Games: the volunteers. Your dedication, enthusiasm and contribution to London 2012 did not go unnoticed. Without you none of this could have happened!

Finally, thank you to the International Sports Federations and National Olympic Committees for supporting the athletes and allowing them to do what they do best for the enjoyment of billions around the world.

After experiencing so many highs over the last 16 days, it is with some sadness that we bring these Games to a close. But London has been a gracious host and the Games will unquestionably leave a long and lasting legacy for the city, country and Olympic Movement.

Thank you, London! And see you in Rio in 2016!

The London 2012 Olympic Games have been extraordinary. They will stay in the hearts and minds of people all over the world for a very long time to come.

I congratulate all the athletes who have competed. They have shown us that there are few boundaries to human endeavour. Demonstrating great pride in representing their countries, these men and women have inspired everyone with their determination and their sportsmanship.

The Games have brought together athletes and spectators from very different cultures, backgrounds and faiths, and from every corner of the planet. Their collaboration and spirit represent a magnificent force for positive change.

You have captured the imagination of the world. None of this would have been possible without the tens of thousands of people, both in the United Kingdom and around the world, who have prepared the teams for competition as well as those who have brought the Games in London to fruition.

So many of these have been volunteers and their efforts have been supreme. They have not received medals, but they assuredly share in the triumph of the London 2012 Olympic Games.