Olympic closing ceremonies are usually more sedate than opening ceremonies and I don't think the one we will see in Beijing tomorrow night will be any different. However, that doesn't mean it will be boring. With China's flair for the dramatic and the spectacular, expect something grand nonetheless. Besides, this will be Beijing's last hurray in the 2008 Olympic Games so it will be understandable that the Chinese would want to leave a lasting impression.

Scheduled to take place at the auspicious time of 8pm, reports say it will have around 7,000 participants, less than half of the 15,000 who amazed the whole world in the opening ceremony. And this is a whole new cast. None of the "openers" will be included in the group, so says Zhang Yimou, director of the festivities. It i also expected to feature an eight-minute segment from London, site of the 2012 games, with Michael Phelps, David Beckham and a
performance by singer Leona Lewis with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.

Two aspects many viewers (and detractors) are looking forward to are the fireworks and the musical presentations. These two created quite a stir a few days after the opening ceremonies when it was revealed that portions of the fireworks seen on TV were pre-staged. More damaging revelations followed when it was learned that a 9-year-old singer was mouthing the words of a performance by a 7-year-old who was deemed not cute enough because of crooked teeth. Will China attempt to do the same in the closing ceremony, or will it try to make up for past mistakes. There is a clamor to let the girl with the crooked teeth sing in front of the whole world this time. However, there is no news whether the Chinese authorities will give in to this. Let's just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

There will also be a parade of nations in the closing ceremony. However, unlike in the opening, the flag bearers of the participating delegations and the name-board-bearers enter the stadium in single file. Behind them march the athletes, without distinction of nationality, marching together as one whole group in celebration of the universal Olympic theme of unity. Expect to see less of the famous and celebrated athletes of these Games though as most of the earlier participants have opted to fly home after their events. Still, there will be plenty to participate in the parade.

But the most important parts of this ceremony are reserved for last as in the opening. First, there is the turn over. To the sounds of the Greek national anthem, the Greek flag is hoisted. Then the flag of the host country and the next host of the Olympic Games are likewise hoisted to the strains of their respective anthems. A few speeches follow together with the declaration that the Games are now closed. A fanfare then sounds; the Olympic flame is extinguished, and while the Olympic anthem is being played, the Olympic flag is slowly lowered from the flagpole and, unfurled horizontally, carried out of the arena, followed by the flag bearers. A farewell song resounds.

All of these are expected to unravel in a span of two to three hours. Exciting enough on paper, it should even be more spectacular when the 2008 Beijing Olympics closing ceremony unfolds before our eyes. (Can't wait!)

If you like this post, then please consider subscribing to my RSS feed. You can also subscribe by email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.