Sixteen days of sporting events came to an end on Sunday, and the Olympic flag was officially passed to London, the British capital, where the next Olympic games will be held in 2012.

About 90,000 people watched the closing ceremony inside the stadium, which brought to an end an Olympics designed to showcase China's might, modernity and sporting prowess.

The stadium was turned into a kaleidescope of glittering colours with 200 acrobats taking giant leaps and somersaulting across a stage on spring-heeled stilts.

Two giant drums were hoisted into the sky with two pairs of suspended drummers thumping out a hypnotic beat.

Thousands of athletes poured in from all four corners of the stadium, blowing kisses and waving flags.

The handover to London was worked into the ceremony, with David Beckham, the UK football star, kicking a football from a red double decker bus that unfolded into a silhouette of London.

Beijing's dramatic farewell to the 29th Games of the modern Olympiad got under way with a magnificent firework display, which quickly segued into an amazing display of dancing and drumming.

Scottish cyclist Chris Hoy, who claimed three gold medals in Beijing, carried the flag for Team GB as the 205 flag bearers led the way for the thousands of athletes.

After speeches from Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organising Committee, and International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, the Beijing Games were officially declared to be over.

China staged the Olympics against a background dominated by fears of pollution, worries over security and protests about its human rights record.

But the sporting action was enthralling, with highlights including Michael Phelps swimming to a record eight gold medals and Jamaica's Usain Bolt breaking three world records on his way to three golds.

"We have come to the end of 16 days which we will cherish forever," said Rogge.

"New stars were born and stars from previous Games continued to amaze us.

"We shared their joys and their tears and marvelled at their abilities, and will long remember their achievements here.

"These were a truly exceptional Games."

Turkish Olympic team returns home with a single gold medal.