International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge declared the London Games closed on Sunday, wrapping up 16 days of competition widely considered to be the greatest edition ever.
The London Olympics won near-universal praise for the spirit in which they were conducted as well as the quality of the athletic competition.
"I declared the Games of the 30th Olympiad closed," Rogge said at the culmination of a dazzling music and fireworks extravaganza.
"The organizing committee did a superb job. ... We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and support of the wonderful volunteers," said Rogge in his last closing speech as IOC president. "These were happy and glorious Games."
Sebastian Coe, the chairman of the organizing committee, praised the volunteers who made them happen.
"Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city. We lit the flame and we lit up the world," Coe said.
"The spirit of these Olympics will inspire a generation. ... When our time came in Britain, we did it right," he added.
Prior to the closing remarks, Rogge symbolically passed the Olympic flag to Eduardo Paes, the mayor of the next Summer Olympics host, Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
The declaration was preceded by a music concert featuring some of biggest names in British rock and pop over the last three decades.
They were the 30th Games of the modern era and the third time the British capital had played host, the others being in 1908 and 1948.
