Countdown to closing ceremony of Olympic Games

Countdown to closing ceremony of Olympic Games

The spectators wait for the start of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)


Artists perform ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhang Guojun)


Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows an interior view of the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China. Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony will begin at the stadium at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday. (Xinhua/Guo Dayue)


Actors and working staff prepare before the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)


Artists perform ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (This picture is reversed upside down.) (Xinhua/Liao Yujie)


Artists perform ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics will begin at 8 p.m. sharp here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)


Actors and working staff prepare before the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)


Actors stage performance ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie)


Artists perform ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie)


Artists perform ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)


Artists perform ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics will begin at 8 p.m. sharp here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)


Artists perform ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics will begin at 8 p.m. sharp here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)


Artists perform ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)


A spectator waves the rattle-drum during the art performance ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics will begin at 8 p.m. sharp here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie)


Artists perform ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhao Peng)


Members of the cheering squad organized by the Beijing federation of trade unions cheer for athletes during the men's marathon event of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. About 150,000 workers from Beijing joined cheering squads during the Beijing Olympic Games. (Xinhua/He Junchang)


Members of the cheering squad organized by the Beijing federation of trade unions cheer for athletes during the men's marathon event of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. About 150,000 workers from Beijing joined cheering squads during the Beijing Olympic Games. (Xinhua/He Junchang)