The Handover Ceremony
 

The first major events for London 2012 are at the Closing Ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

At each of these events is a ceremony to mark the official 'handover' of the Games to the next Host City.

In the ceremony, a Flag is passed from the Mayor of Beijing to the Mayor of London. This is followed by a short performance inviting the world to London for the 2012 Games.

Olympic Games Handover - Sunday 24 August

 
The Olympic Flag is handed over in Beijing on Sunday 24 August - Bank Holiday for many. 

London 2012 will stage an eight minute performance in the Olympic Stadium, watched by around 1.5 billion people worldwide.

Created and staged by LOCOG’s Ceremonies team, the show will reflect London through dance and music. As part of the show, dancers from the Royal Opera House, CanDoCo and Zoo Nation are collaborating in a unique performance.

Read more about how you can celebrate the Olympic Handover in the UK

Paralympic Games Handover - Wednesday 17 September

The Beijing Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony takes place on Wednesday 17 September 2008 and will also contain a London 2012 segment.

Find out more about plans for marking the Paralympic Handover in the UK

The Handover team

The creative team for the Beijing Show is headed up by London 2012 Director of Culture, Ceremonies and Education, Bill Morris, Head of Ceremonies Martin Green and Creative Director Stephen Powell. Musical Director for the show is Philip Sheppard and Ray Winkler is the Production Designer. Costumes are being designed by Jonathan Bentley.

The Torch Relay

The Torch Relay is an important part of the build up to the Games. Celebrating and uniting sport and culture, it will bring the spirit of the Games to the whole of the UK in the months leading up to the Opening Ceremony.

Lit in Olympia, the Torch will make an international journey before arriving in the UK.

Carried by Torch bearers selected through a ballot process, the Olympic Flame will pass through communities, with entertainment, shows and concerts marking its arrival.

There will be educational programmes for young people and the chance to take part as a volunteer.

The build up to the Paralympic Games will also be marked by a UK-wide Paralympic Torch Relay in August 2012.
 
Celebrations and events will feature as part of the period leading up to the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games on 29 August 2012.

Planning the Torch Relays

Planning for the Torch Relays will start after the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The route for the Olympic Torch Relay will be announced in 2011. We will then be letting you know how you could get involved as a runner or a volunteer.

Announcements regarding the route of the Paralympic Torch Relay are likely to be made in early 2012.