Party feel for closing ceremony

Aug 10 2012

The Olympic closing ceremony will be a fun tribute to British music, London 2012 chairman Lord Coe has said.

Describing it as an "after-show party" with lots of headline talent, Lord Coe said: "It's not anything desperately profound. It's not the opening ceremony but I think it will be great. It's basically a tribute to British music over the last few decades. It's fun."

Artistic director Kim Gavin has already said it will be "an elegant mash-up of British music" including anything from Adele to Elgar.

The Sunday night show at the Olympic Stadium is set to be more relaxed than the Danny Boyle-masterminded opening which was packed with references to British history and culture.

The public's appetite for the big event may have been whetted by pop stars such as George Michael, the Pet Shop Boys, Jessie J and Tinie Tempah, who have been photographed at rehearsals.

Brazilian supermodel Alessandro Ambrosio said she has been rehearsing for Rio 2016's segment during the ceremony alongside the Spice Girls.

Organisers from the Rio 2016 Games, the next Olympic host city, have an eight-minute slot in the London 2012 closing ceremony which acts as a taster of things to come.

A lively mix of music, dance and culture has been offered, including big name stars and characters from Brazil.

She said: "I have been doing a lot of rehearsal so my highlight has been to mix with everybody. There are about 300 people from Brazil plus all the people who are participating in the closing ceremony. We were doing the show with the Spice Girls and everybody. I saw them there."

Of the possibility of an appearance by the Spice Girls, a London 2012 spokesman: "We would like to save the surprise. There is not long to wait."