Olympics 2008 Features
Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - Photos
By James Wray Aug 24, 2008, 15:57 GMT
Fireworks light up the sky above the National Stadium as the countdown ends and the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games starts, in the National Stadium, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/WU HONG
Fireworks light up the sky appearing to explode from the Olympic venue of the National Stadium or Bird's Nest, and are reflected in a pond of water, as the countdown ends and the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games starts in the National Stadium, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008 EPA/FRANK MAY
A drummer hangs from a giant ' heavenly drum ' elevated above the stadium and performs upside down, during the Closing Ceremony of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Stadium, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. Two hundred drummers and two heavenly drums featured in the opening of the ceremony. EPA/BERND THISSEN
A light wheel and dancers perform during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Stadium, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/BERND THISSEN
A Chinese performer on a drum cart performs during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Stadium, in Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/BERND THISSEN
Performers beat drums during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August, 2008. EPA/OLIVER WEIKEN
Drummers on a giant ' heavenly drum ' elevated above the stadium and performs upside down, during the Closing Ceremony of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Stadium, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. Two hundred drummers and two heavenly drums featured in the opening of the ceremony. EPA/MARCUS BRANDT
Fireworks go off over the National Stadium during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
British Olympic fans wave Union Jack flags behind a Chinese People's Liberation Army soldier in front of China's National Stadium, or 'Bird's Nest', ahead of the 29th Olympiad closing ceremony when the Olympic flag will be formally handed to London's Mayor, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. London will host the Olympic Games in 2012. EPA/ALEX HOFFORD
Chinese paramilitary police stand on guard as fireworks go off bursting from the National Stadium during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/JULIAN ABRAM WAINWRIGHT
Performers participating during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld
Chinese basketball player Yao Ming participating during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/Franck Robichon
Chinese performers participating during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/Franck Robichon
Flag bearers of different countries, in front Great Britain, walk into the stadium during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld
Performers beat giant heavenly drums suspended high in the air with the Olympic Flame in the background during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August, 2008. EPA/BERND THISSEN
Performers participating during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld
The flag of Great Britain, host of the next Olympics 2012, is raised during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August, 2008. EPA/MARCUS BRANDT
Performers including dancers and some of the 200 bouncing and flying men with drummers hanging from a suspended heavenly drum during the Closing Ceremony of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Stadium, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld
Performers participating underneath high suspended ' heavenly drums ' during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/JENS BUETTNER
Khatuna Lorig, archer, walks into the stadium as the flag bearer of the USA leads the team into the stadium during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/PATRICK B. KRAEMER EPA/PATRICK B. KRAEMER
Performers participating during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/NIC BOTHMA
Drummers performing during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/PATRICK B. KRAEMER
Soccer player David Beckham of Great Britain kicks a soccer ball into the crowd during the Handover Ceremony for London 2012 Olympic Games during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld
Soccer player David Beckham of Great Britain waves during the Handover Ceremony for London 2012 Olympic Games during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld
A typical London doubledecker bus during the handover to London for the 2012 Olympic games Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Stadium, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/BERND THISSEN
A combo picture shows the Olympic Flame burning in its last moments (top) atop the National Stadium or Bird's Nest before it is extinguished (below) during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 24 August 2008. EPA/WU HONG
