The Beijing Games draw to a close on today Sunday, August 24, 2008 after what many have described as one of the best Olympics ever held. China, having beaten the United States to top the medals table, will hand the Olympic flag to the 2012 hosts London at a closing ceremony from 1300 BST. Great Britain surpassed all targets by winning 19 golds at the 2008 Games - their best haul for a century. Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru won the men's marathon on the final day, with basketball and boxing finals to come. Six boxing titles are being decided while the men's basketball final, featuring the United States and Spain, starts at 0730 BST. Later, the spectacular farewell in front of a packed house of more than 90,000 at the Bird's Nest stadium is set to last three hours and will include fireworks displays at 18 locations across Beijing. The organisers have promised a more light-hearted show than the opening ceremony, which focused heavily on Chinese history. Scottish cyclist Chris Hoy, who claimed three gold medals at the Games, will carry the flag for Team GB at the closing ceremony. The ceremony will also see London mayor Boris Johnson receive the Olympic flag to signal the countdown to the 2012 Games. Team GB have been congratulated for their efforts in a message from The Queen. "As a nation we now look forward to holding the Olympic Games in London in 2012," she said. "The golden triumphs of the present British team can only serve as further inspiration to those who will be working hard over the next four years to make the London Games a shining example of Olympic success." 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 has been enthralling, with highlights including Michael Phelps swimming to a record eight gold medals and Jamaican Usain Bolt breaking three world records as he bagged a sprint title treble. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who spoke on Sunday of his hope that a UK football team could compete in the next Olympics, will attend the closing event. The London Olympics will also have a eight-minute slot that will feature a version of Led Zeppelin classic Whole Lotta Love performed by the group's guitarist Jimmy Page and singer Leona Lewis. Footballer David Beckham will be involved as will the Royal Ballet and the London Symphony Orchestra. The closing show will also feature a duet by Chinese folk singer Song Zuying and Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, along with a performance by a 350-strong kung-fu group. There promises to be another spectacular show earlier in the day when the US basketball team, aka the 'Redeem Team', look to reclaim their crown against world champions Spain. There are also six boxing gold medals to be decided, with Ireland's Kenny Egan going in the light-heavyweight final. Other finals are taking place in the men's water polo (0840), men's volleyball (0500), and men's handball (0845). In the rhythmic gymnastics group all-around event, Russia defended their title to take gold, while China claimed silver and Belarus bronze. In total, there will be 12 gold medals won on the final day of action before the Games are handed on to London. Source: BBC