Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 12. Check out photos from the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F07%2F27%2Fworldsport%2Fgallery%2Folympic-opening-ceremony%2Findex.html" target="_blank">opening ceremony.</a>
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 12. Check out photos from the opening ceremony.
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Athletes from Great Britain parade during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Athletes from Great Britain parade during the closing ceremony.
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From left, London Mayor Boris Johnson, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes enter the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
From left, London Mayor Boris Johnson, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes enter the stadium.
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A French athlete carries her nation's flag as the French team parades through the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A French athlete carries her nation's flag as the French team parades through the stadium.
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British actor Timothy Spall portrays Winston Churchill during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British actor Timothy Spall portrays Winston Churchill during the closing ceremony.
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Actors perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Actors perform during the closing ceremony.
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An actor waves a Union Jack from atop a mockup of the Big Ben tower.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
An actor waves a Union Jack from atop a mockup of the Big Ben tower.
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Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Artists wave Union Jack flags as they perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists wave Union Jack flags as they perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
The ceremony featured replicas of several London landmarks, including Tower Bridge and the giant Ferris wheel known as London Eye.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The ceremony featured replicas of several London landmarks, including Tower Bridge and the giant Ferris wheel known as London Eye.
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Another view of the performance by the British percussion group Stomp.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Another view of the performance by the British percussion group Stomp.
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Members of the British percussion group Stomp pound trash cans during their performance.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Members of the British percussion group Stomp pound trash cans during their performance.
AFP/Getty Images
A rendition of London's Big Ben makes an appearance in the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A rendition of London's Big Ben makes an appearance in the closing ceremony.
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British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber performs.
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Acrobats perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Acrobats perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Actors dressed as Batman and Robin perform a segment from an episode of the British television comedy, "Only Fools and Horses."
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Actors dressed as Batman and Robin perform a segment from an episode of the British television comedy, "Only Fools and Horses."
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Actors perform in the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Actors perform in the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
The Household Division Ceremonial State Band perform the song "Parklife," originally done by the British rock band Blur.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The Household Division Ceremonial State Band perform the song "Parklife," originally done by the British rock band Blur.
AFP/Getty Images
Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande performs "Read All About It" during the closing ceremony at Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande performs "Read All About It" during the closing ceremony at Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
A general view of the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A general view of the closing ceremony.
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The British pop group One Direction performs "What Makes You Beautiful."
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The British pop group One Direction performs "What Makes You Beautiful."
AFP/Getty Images
Madness perform their 1982 hit "Our House" during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Madness perform their 1982 hit "Our House" during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Annie Lennox performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Annie Lennox performs.
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Annie Lennox performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Annie Lennox performs during the closing ceremony.
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Brian May of Queen performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Brian May of Queen performs during the closing ceremony.
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Artists form a sculpture representing the face of John Lennon during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists form a sculpture representing the face of John Lennon during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Spain's sailor Marina Alabau Neira shows her gold medal during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Spain's sailor Marina Alabau Neira shows her gold medal during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
The Pet Shop Boys perform their evocative song about London, "West End Girls." The duo originally released the song in 1985.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The Pet Shop Boys perform their evocative song about London, "West End Girls." The duo originally released the song in 1985.
AFP/Getty Images
British group Madness, led by lead singer Graham McPherson, perform their 1982 hit, "Our House."
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British group Madness, led by lead singer Graham McPherson, perform their 1982 hit, "Our House."
AFP/Getty Images
Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson is lifted into the air while playing "Our House," a reprise of what he did in the video for the song.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson is lifted into the air while playing "Our House," a reprise of what he did in the video for the song.
AFP/Getty Images
Chas Smash and lead singer Graham Suggs McPherson of Madness perform.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Chas Smash and lead singer Graham Suggs McPherson of Madness perform.
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British artist George Michael performs at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British artist George Michael performs at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Global artist George Michael performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Global artist George Michael performs.
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Athletes fill the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Athletes fill the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
British singer George Michael performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British singer George Michael performs.
AFP/Getty Images
Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
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Entertainer Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Entertainer Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
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British comedian Russell Brand, center, performs at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British comedian Russell Brand, center, performs at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
The athletes of the competing nations enter the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The athletes of the competing nations enter the stadium.
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British comedian Russell Brand performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British comedian Russell Brand performs.
AFP/Getty Images
British DJ and producer Fat Boy Slim performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British DJ and producer Fat Boy Slim performs.
AFP/Getty Images
Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Dancers take part inside the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Dancers take part inside the Olympic stadium.
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Fat Boy Slim, aka Norman Cook, during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fat Boy Slim, aka Norman Cook, during the closing ceremony.
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General view taken during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
General view taken during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
British singer Jesse J inside the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British singer Jesse J inside the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Jessie J performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Jessie J performs during the closing ceremony.
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Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Taio Cruz performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Taio Cruz performs during the closing ceremony.
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A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
British rap singer Tinie Tempah performs at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British rap singer Tinie Tempah performs at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks explode over the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fireworks explode over the stadium.
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Brian May of Queen performs alongside Jessie J.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Brian May of Queen performs alongside Jessie J.
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Fireworks explode over the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fireworks explode over the stadium.
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Matthew Bellamy of Muse performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Matthew Bellamy of Muse performs during the closing ceremony.
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A performer stands on top of a giant cannon.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A performer stands on top of a giant cannon.
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Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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British comedian Eric Idle performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British comedian Eric Idle performs.
AFP/Getty Images
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Eric Idle performs during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Eric Idle performs during the closing ceremony.
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Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Dutch athletes parade during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Dutch athletes parade during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Chachi Valencia, alias The Rocket Man, is propelled in the air at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Chachi Valencia, alias The Rocket Man, is propelled in the air at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
From left, Geri Haliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham and Melanie Brown of the Spice Girls reunite for the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
From left, Geri Haliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham and Melanie Brown of the Spice Girls reunite for the closing ceremony.
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Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls performs.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls performs.
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Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm of The Spice Girls perform.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm of The Spice Girls perform.
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The Spice Girls perform at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The Spice Girls perform at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
A high-wire artist performs during a rendition of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A high-wire artist performs during a rendition of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."
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Roger Daltrey of The Who performs during the finale of the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Roger Daltrey of The Who performs during the finale of the closing ceremony.
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Girls perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Girls perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
From left, Spice Girls Victoria Beckham, Gerie Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
From left, Spice Girls Victoria Beckham, Gerie Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Actors ride scooters during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Actors ride scooters during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks explode over the stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fireworks explode over the stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Ballerina Darcey Bussell performs with the Royal Ballet.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Ballerina Darcey Bussell performs with the Royal Ballet.
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Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Ballet dancer Darcey Bussell descends into the stadium on a phoenix.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Ballet dancer Darcey Bussell descends into the stadium on a phoenix.
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Athlete Mark Lewis-Francis of Great Britain films teammates.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Athlete Mark Lewis-Francis of Great Britain films teammates.
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From left, British models Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and David Gandy perform at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
From left, British models Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and David Gandy perform at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Model Kate Moss performs during the British fashion portion of the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Model Kate Moss performs during the British fashion portion of the closing ceremony.
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Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
British model Naomi Campbell, left, performs during the fashion segment of the ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
British model Naomi Campbell, left, performs during the fashion segment of the ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Performers dance during the presentation by Rio de Janeiro, the next host city.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Performers dance during the presentation by Rio de Janeiro, the next host city.
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Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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An athlete waves a German flag during the athletes' parade at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
An athlete waves a German flag during the athletes' parade at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Brazilian artists perform.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Brazilian artists perform.
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Singer Marisa Monte performs as Rio de Janeiro, the next host city, makes its presentation.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Singer Marisa Monte performs as Rio de Janeiro, the next host city, makes its presentation.
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Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
The road to Rio is celebrated during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The road to Rio is celebrated during the closing ceremony.
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A general view of the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A general view of the stadium.
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Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
A view looking down into London's Olympic stadium shows a rendition of the Union Jack on the stadium floor as the closing ceremony gets under way.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A view looking down into London's Olympic stadium shows a rendition of the Union Jack on the stadium floor as the closing ceremony gets under way.
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A Mexican athlete wearing a wrestler's mask parades during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A Mexican athlete wearing a wrestler's mask parades during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Athletes wave Irish flags at the Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Athletes wave Irish flags at the Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
An athlete from Germany parades through the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
An athlete from Germany parades through the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.
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Flagbearers carry the flags of the 204 countries that participated in the Olympics.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Flagbearers carry the flags of the 204 countries that participated in the Olympics.
AFP/Getty Images
The Olympic cauldron burns during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The Olympic cauldron burns during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Flagbearers parade during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Flagbearers parade during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Athletes gather in the center of the stadium to form a giant, living rendition of the British Union Jack.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Athletes gather in the center of the stadium to form a giant, living rendition of the British Union Jack.
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A female athlete from Germany rides on the shoulders of a male teammate during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A female athlete from Germany rides on the shoulders of a male teammate during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
AFP/Getty Images
Athletes from the 30th Olympics enter Olympic stadium in London.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Athletes from the 30th Olympics enter Olympic stadium in London.
AFP/Getty Images
Athletes form a living Union Jack on the floor of Olympic stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Athletes form a living Union Jack on the floor of Olympic stadium.
AFP/Getty Images
Spectators applaud the ceremony from high above the floor.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
Spectators applaud the ceremony from high above the floor.
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A general view shows the vastness of the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
A general view shows the vastness of the stadium.
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The sun sets over the Olympic Stadium few minutes before the start of the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The sun sets over the Olympic Stadium few minutes before the start of the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
AFP/Getty Images
The Olympic Cauldron burns at the center of the stadium.
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The Olympic Cauldron burns at the center of the stadium.
Getty Images
The Olympic Cauldron burns during the closing ceremony. Look back at photos from the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F07%2F27%2Fworldsport%2Fgallery%2Folympic-opening-ceremony%2Findex.html" target="_blank">opening ceremony.</a>
Olympic Closing Ceremony —
The Olympic Cauldron burns during the closing ceremony. Look back at photos from the opening ceremony.
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Photos: Olympics closing ceremony

Story highlights

Anchor Bob Costas appeared to acknowledge issues with the delayed coverage

NBC cut away from the Olympics to show its new TV comedy "Animal Practice"

Viewers in the U.S. missed performances by Ray Davies, Kate Bush, Muse, The Who

"And that's a wrap! Thanks for enjoying the 2012 #Olympics with us!" NBC tweeted

CNN  — 

NBC was pummeled by viewers who took to social media after the network cut away early from the closing ceremony of the London Games on Sunday to air a new television show, drawing outrage from those who tuned in for the highly anticipated musical spectacle.

The Twitter-sphere exploded, with “#NBCfail” and “#closingceremonies” trending worldwide, after NBC cut out performances by Ray Davies, Kate Bush, The Who and Muse in favor of a commercial-free airing of “Animal Practice.”

“I still don’t understand, it’s a tape delay, so can’t you do the math in advance? Why do you need to cut off the closing ceremony? #nbcfail,” Raj Sarkar wrote on Twitter.

Meet the man who started #NBCFail

Actor Nate Barlow posted to his Twitter account: “Why #nbcfail ranks last: no better way to turn people off a new show than to preempt @thewho & other rock legends for it.”

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Related video #NBCFail?

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Related video Olympics close with fireworks display

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Related video Looking back at London 2012

The network was under fire for much of the 16 days of the Games by viewers who took to Twitter and Facebook to complain about its tape-delayed coverage of big-ticket events, which NBC has said was necessary to maximize its prime-time audience.

Earlier in the Games, NBC came under fire for filing a complaint over tweets by Guy Adams, the Los Angeles-based journalist whose Twitter account was temporarily suspended after he criticized NBC for its Olympics coverage.

In one tweet, Adams provided the company e-mail address of an NBC executive and urged followers to send him messages complaining about the tape-delayed coverage.

NBC confirmed that it complained and Twitter suspended him, saying it is a violation of the site’s terms of service to post personal information. It later withdrew the complaint.

The network also came under fire for spoiling the results of U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin’s gold medal-winning race when it ran a “Today” show promo that revealed the outcome of the race before it was telecast that night.

The network relented in its opposition to streaming the closing ceremony live, though it offered an English-language pool feed rather than its edited program.

NBC commentator Bob Costas appeared to acknowledge the issue with the network’s tape-delayed coverage, saying during the broadcast that some of the challenges at the London Games would be eliminated at the Rio Games in 2016 because they will be held in a time zone only one hour ahead of Eastern Time. (The 2014 Winter Olympics, which will be televised in the U.S. by NBC, are in Sochi, Russia – which is eight hours ahead of Eastern Time, four hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.)

Live or later: What’s your ideal Olympics coverage?

NBC did air The Who’s performance at the closing ceremony in late night, following “Animal Practice.” But that did little to calm the fury of viewers, many of whom said they tuned in to see the British band Muse perform the official song of the Olympics.

“Their broadcast was horrible! No Muse with the OFFICIAL song of the Olympics. Who made that call? @NBC #NBCfail,” LoriAndJava wrote on Twitter.

NBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the decision to cut away from the ceremony, though it did appear to warn viewers that it was about to end its Olympic coverage.

“And that’s a wrap! Thanks for enjoying the 2012 #Olympics with us! RT if you CAN’T WAIT for #Sochi2014!,” read a post that appeared on the NBC Olympics Twitter page as the closing ceremony aired on the East Coast.

It also urged viewers to stay tuned for “#TheWho after @AnimalPractice :)”

It posted a similar message on Facebook, which drew similar reactions.

“I tuned out when NBC interrupted the closing ceremony,” John Kwon wrote.

Earlier, NBC streamed the ceremony live on its Olympics website.

At least those in attendance at the closing ceremony in London enjoyed the show.

“What an incredible night! Closing ceremonies were unbelievable but I am EXHAUSTED!” swimmer Franklin wrote on Twitter. “I’ll post a few pics before bed.”

Is it really #NBCfail?