Phelps to star in London Olympics handover celebrations

Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps will take a starring role in the London celebrations for the official handover of the Olympic Games. Phelps will be on stage during the Visa 2012 party in The Mall on Sunday (24 August).

Phelps, who won a historic eight gold medals in Beijing, beating Mark Spitz’s record of seven golds in a single Olympics, will travel to London on his way home from Beijing.

The Visa 2012 party in The Mall will kick start a day of celebration and mark the official countdown to the London 2012 Games. A live concert for 40,000 people will coincide with the handing over of the Olympic flag at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Games.

London Mayor Boris Johnson will receive the flag from Beijing officials and there will be an eight-minute music and dance performance from a dance troupe incorporating members of the Royal Opera House and dance companies Zoo Nation and CanDoCo.

It is also rumoured that David Beckham and X Factor winner Leona Lewis will be making an appearance in Beijing.

The celebration in The Mall will be relayed live to 27 sites via giant screens, sponsored by 2012 tier one partners Lloyds TSB and BT. The free concert is headlined by The Feeling, who will be supported by McFly, Will Young, Katherine Jenkins and Scouting for Girls.