'Hey Jude' closes the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics 2012

The opening ceremony of the London Olympics 2012 is over - leaving behind its many memories for days to come. The closing of the opening ceremony by 'Hey Jude' sung by the music legend Sir Paul McCartney, the ex Beatle, took the entire arena with Paul and everyone sang along Na, na, na, na na na naaaaa! Hey Jude as the song came to an end, and so did the ceremony.

The girls only Na, na, na, na na na naaaaa! Hey Jude sung by girls in audience as asked by Paul

But the ceremony before the end was a long drawn show of aesthetics, innovation and traditional British mindset of starting the ceremony with the era when life was simple, medieval and domestic. 

The Olympic Rings rose high above the stadium and showered fireworks [Photo AP / Daily Mail]

The stage set depicted the development of the present Britain from cows and farmlands of Britain, developing the story into the industrial age and then making giant Olympic rings that rose above the stadium and showering flames downward.

[Photo AP / Daily Mail]

Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins opens the Olympic Opening Ceremony by ringing a giant bell.

Pakistan contingent

Roland Garros queen Maria Sharapova headed the Russian contingent

Novak Djokovic headed the Serbian Contingent

The march past of the contingents commenced after the performers put up a dramatic show. Tennis stars Novak Djokovic was flab bearer for Serbia, while Maria Sharapova headed the Russian contingent.

The Olympic flag was brought in and it was delight to see Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of all times also present on the occasion, contrary to the earlier news that he would not have any role in the ceremonies. Although part of the flag bearers, he was stationed at the very end of the flag destination and touched the flag before it was taken away for hoisting.

The most impressive part of the ceremony was the bringing in the Olympic Torch on a motor boat in the River Thames by English soccer player Robert Beckham and then alighting the cauldron.

But this time it wasn't really a cauldron to many's surprise. In fact the torch bearers lit a number of small fires mounted on the heads of long steel sticks, which wwhen alight, were elevated to make a bunch of lights looking like a cauldron.

As the flames lit the arena, there was a massive firework display outside the arena that spellbound the onlookers. 

The Olympic flame will now remain alight till the closing ceremony on 12th August.