Blogging Beijing – London Handover

According to protocol, the Greek national flag was raised and the country's anthem played before Britain's Union flag was hoisted aloft and the national anthem sung by a choir. Then the Olympic flag was brought down and the moment for the much -anticipated handover ceremony arrived.

Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong and London Mayor Boris Johnson entered the stadium to a lively reception; Johnson's mischievous Cheshire Cat grin as wide as ever.

Two days ago, Johnson said he was not nervous about performing his Olympic flag-waving duties before a global audience of 1.6 billion people. Anything that could go wrong would go wrong, he told a press briefing. It was a prediction of things to come. Johnson, a gaffe-prone Conservative maverick, got in a tangle with the flag handed to him from the Beijing Mayor and Rogge, taking his time to unravel the flag before waving it six times. Punching the air, he then saluted the Chinese president before clapping performers as he exited the stage. He certainly milked his moment in the spotlight just a little too much.

The eight-minute handover slot always presented a challenge to London 2012; while they were keen not to upstage the Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page. closing ceremony theatrics, they wanted to stamp their own mark.

A London double-decker bus with "London 2012" marked on the route and the graffiti-style logo emblazoned on the back rolled into the stadium, an odd-looking red vehicle in these surroundings.

The crowd were on edge about one man inside the bus; England footballer David Beckham. Olympic medalists Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Shanaze Reade accompanied the bus as it did a slow 200m around one end of the track. Could it be a sign of things to come, given London's ageing transport system?

London's handover embraced dynamic and traditional elements. Dance troupes performed cutting edge urban dance routines around the bus before it halted and the roof unfolded to reveal a hedge cut in the shape of iconic London buildings including the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral. This brought a massive cheer from the expectant crowd. Pop star Leona Lewis was hoisted up on a lift and Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page proceeded to rock the stadium with a storming rendition of Whole Lotta Love.

But the real treat is Beckham. The LA Galaxy star is all smiles as he rises from the bus on a platform. The crowd goes crazy; his star may be waning on the field, but he's a global brand. Not even a sprained ankle picked up Saturday can keep him from kicking a football into the mass of athletes. Not one of his best crosses; it doesn't go far and a volunteer catches the ball.

This conclusion to the handover aims to "symbolize the power of sport to unite the world and the importance of sport for young people".

The crowd's cheers subside as spinning umbrellas flashing red, white and blue light up the bus as it exits the stadium.

Johnson's fumble aside, London's handover celebration at one side of the stadium went well. London 2012 organizers signposted what is to come, but delivering a show to match the Beijing Olympics on July 27, 2012 is the real test.

Written by Mark Bisson in Beijing For general comments or questions, click here