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Search forCrowds on song to welcome Olympics
Sunday, August 24, 2008, 09:00
More than 300 people filled Castle Square yesterday to watch the spectacular closing ceremony of the Beijing games on the giant outdoor screen, with the Olympic flag being passed to the next host city, London.
The crowd then linked-up with parties being held around the UK to welcome the games to the country — with Swansea contributing a mass rendition of the Tom Jones classic Delilah.
Lord Mayor of Swansea Gareth Sullivan said: "It was great to see so many people taking part in the event.
"We are all full of enthusiasm for the Olympics, and I hope we will keep that going for the next four years.
"Hopefully, Swansea and the whole of Wales will benefit from the games coming to London.
"We have some fantastic sporting facilities around Swansea, not just for elite athletes but for everyone."
The singing was led by the Morriston Phoenix Choir.
Conductor Sian Pearce said: "There are two great things in this world that can unite nations — one is sport and the other is singing.
"How else but in music can everybody all take breath at the same time?
"We are proud to be British and proud to be Welsh, and this is a chance to celebrate the 2012 games in London."
The Lord Mayor was joined by Swansea's former Olympians Berwyn Price and Glenda Phillips to raise a special Olympic flag in recognition of Britain being the next host country.
After the singing to the nation, the crowd settled back to watch a concert beamed to the big screen from outside Buckingham Palace featuring a host of performers including Neath singing superstar Katherine Jenkins, McFly, The Feeling and Will Young.
Among the enthusiastic Castle Square singers were Melanie Coffey, from Tycoch, and Karen Horton, from Loughor.
Karen said: "It was a fabulous event.
"It was lovely to be able to unite the city — and the country — in song."
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