Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games

The London 2012 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony saw Coldplay, one of Britain's best selling music acts, joined by global superstars Rihanna and Jay-Z in a spectacular celebration of achievements of the Paralympic athletes and an amazing summer of sport. Celebrating the seasonal cycle of ancient and modern festivals that take place throughout the year, world-class musical performances took the audience on a journey through Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer. The ceremony also honoured servicemen and women, and particularly the work of charity Help for Heroes, with Captain Luke Sinnott, a double amputee, climbing to the top of the flag pole to hoist the Union Flag. A motorcade of weird and wonderful vehicles then stormed into the Olympic Stadium, as ex-serviceman Rory Mackenzie delivered a rousing speech. The evening also saw the Paralympic Flag was handed over to Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes, cueing a colourful musical performance by Rio 2016. At the end of the night, as the Paralympic Flame began to fade, ParalympicsGB gold medallists Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock transferred the Flame to a Paralympic Torch. They then proceeded to light hundreds of torches held by members of the cast throughout the field of play before it was extinguished. The ceremony ended with a spectacular fireworks display over the Olympic Stadium and Olympic Park, followed by fireworks along the River Thames. Led by Closing Ceremonies Artistic Director Kim Gavin, Music Director David Arnold and Designer Misty Buckley, the Closing Ceremony was overseen by the same team of Executive Producers who have been in charge of all four Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies, including Oscar-winning film director Stephen Daldry.