The 2012 London Olympics will come to a spectacular close with one of the most magical and dynamic shows ever staged in the capital.

The ceremony will open with black cabs, scooters, bicycles, dancing  lollipop ladies and umbrella-carrying commuters creating a London rush-hour, before the performers strip off to reveal Union Jack swimsuits and sports outfits.

Highlights will be performances from Queen, Jessie J, Madness, George Michael, One Direction, Pet Shop Boys and Darcey Bussell, while the Spice Girls will appear together again.

The soundtrack to the ceremony features about 30 major British hits from the past five decades. The music of The Beatles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and Elton John will also be featured.

Artistic director Kim Gavin has promised "the best after-show party that's ever been," and as details of the lineup leaked in the British press days ahead of time, there was no reason to doubt him.

There will also be speeches by International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and London organizing committee Chief Sebastian Coe, and the extinguishing of the Olympic flame.

The United States edged China in both the gold medal and total medal standings, recapturing the gold-medal title it lost four years ago, but Britain will finish third in golds.

What a way to end a games far more successful than many Londoners expected. The weather held up, more or less, and Britain had its biggest medal haul since 1908.