Celebrations across the UK as countdown to 2012 begins

Celebrations took place across the UK today to mark the official moment when London became the Summer Olympic Host City. A crowd of 40,000 celebrated in the Mall for the Visa London 2012 Party; which began once London Mayor Boris Johnson was symbolically handed the Olympic Flag at 14.00 GMT in front of a worldwide audience estimated to be around 1.6 billion.

The nation united as more than 30 ‘Live Screens’ centred around the UK broadcast the spectacular Visa London 2012 Party and the Beijing 2008 Closing Ceremony. In all, a combined turnout of over 200,000 welcomed the beginning of the UK’s Olympiad in person, including 20,000 people in Cardiff, 15,000 in Weymouth, 6,000 in Glasgow, 30,000 in Liverpool, and 10,000 in Belfast. The event was broadcast to the nation live on BBC One and Radio 2.

Simultaneously, in a first in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, 650 venues across the UK proudly raised the Olympic Handover Flag, which flew in Local Authorities and government buildings from Lands End to John O’Groats and in symbolic spots such as the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike, Stonehenge and the Paddiwack Yacht in the Isle of Wight.

The celebrations on the Mall continued into the afternoon as the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows flew over head in a flawless formation pouring red, white and blue across the sky. Olympians including Michael Phelps, Bradley Wiggins, Dame Mary Peters, Roger Black, Sally Gunnell, Jason Gardener, Phillips Idowu and Sharron Davies also enjoyed the party as jubilant revellers danced to performances by multi-million album selling artists The Feeling, Il Divo, Katherine Jenkins, McFly, Will Young, James Morrison, Scouting for Girls, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Heather Small, and the cast of We Will Rock You. Also joining them on stage was actress, singer and model Myleene Klass, former Blue Peter Presenter Zoe Salmon and Celebrity Masterchef Champion 2008, Liz McClarnon.

Sir Keith Mills, Deputy Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee said: 'The eyes of the world have been on Beijing for the last two weeks as they have staged one of the most spectacular and uplifting Olympic Games ever and for that we congratulate them. For a short amount of time today however, the world stopped and considered what's coming next. We welcomed them, showed our enthusiasm and as a nation uplifted by the most successful Team GB performance in 100 years we were united in celebration. Today was a truly historic day and London 2012 would like to thank the communities who joined in the celebrations at Live Sites and to the 400 venues up and down the country who raised a Handover Flag and showed their support as we take the first step on this magnificent, challenging and momentous journey to the London Olympic Games in 2012.'

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'I'm profoundly humbled by the immense privilege I've been given today. I'm also intensely proud. Proud of the athletes who pulled in the best medal tally for decades. Proud of the people behind them who've delivered this stunning success. And proud beyond all that London is now in charge of the Olympic legacy. The next Summer Games return to a country which I frequently boast has either invented or codified just about every major world sport. We will draw on that heritage and we will draw on our wit, flair, imagination and ingenuity to build on what we've all witnessed in Beijing and deliver a fantabulous Olympics in what I consider to be not only my home, but the home of sport.'

Minister of State at Department of Culture Media and Sport, Margaret Hodge said: 'Today we gathered in the Mall and around giant screens across the United Kingdom to celebrate as the Olympic Flag was handed over to London. Our Olympic success in Beijing has been phenomenal and we now start the process, as a nation, of preparing to welcome the world to our shores in four years time. The London 2012 Olympic Games are not just about London, they are about creating a lasting national legacy – a legacy that will deliver Team GB success, a meaningful sporting infrastructure and most of all, pride.'

The Olympic spirit rang true at the event, hosted by Matt Baker and Claudia Winkleman, with performances of 'Proud' by Heather Small, which was London's official theme in their bid to stage the Games, 'Heroes' by The Feeling, 'Nessun Dorma' by Katherine Jenkins, 'Shine' by Last Choir Standing, 'Imagine' by James Morrison and 'Winner Takes It All' by McFly. Patriotic-inspired performances included 'London Calling' by Scouting For Girls.

Bradley Wiggins, Team GB double gold medallist said: 'It was a fantastic Olympic Games for the British cycling team and for Team GB. It has also been a wonderful day for London and the UK as the Olympic flag passes from Beijing to London. The focus now moved to London and I look forward to competing in 2012 and hope that we can build on our medal success. I am sure that London will host a great Games for athletes and spectators alike.'

Katherine Jenkins said: 'I am so proud to be a part of the United Kingdom at such an exciting time. This is a momentous occasion and I feel privileged to be involved in the event to celebrate becoming the host nation of the Olympic Games. The energy was electric out there on stage, it has been an incredibly fun experience.'

Colin Grannell, executive vice president, partnership marketing at Visa Europe: 'We're delighted that Visa is involved in the Handover. It's a great opportunity for people in Beijing, London and across the world to mark the moment when London officially becomes the next Host City in 2012. It is also tremendously exciting to have Michael Phelps on stage, as a Team Visa athlete we are very proud to have him take part in the Visa London 2012 Party.'

The celebrations were not confined to the capital as regions across the country enjoyed the moment with sport, music and dance. Several sites enjoyed a mass sing-a-long as part of the 'Sing The Nation' programme.

For further information please contact: Sameena Rizwi, Deborah Croshaw or Sharon Hardwick at freud communications on 0203 003 6352/ 0203 003 6312/ 0203 003 6304 or email on firstname.surname@freud.com

The London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100