REUTERS' Karolos Grohmann wrote as "focus shifted to the South American city on the last day of the London Games," the IOC said that organizers of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics must finalize their budget as soon as possible. Rio, which will become the first city on the continent to host the Summer Olympics, has yet to announce a budget for the Games, amid "growing concern organizers were not proceeding as fast as the IOC would like." IOC Chief Inspector for progress in Rio Nawal El Moutawakel had said in a report before the London Games "very vigorous coordination" was needed, urging organisers to speed up preparations (REUTERS, 8/12).
CLOSING CEREMONY: The Olympic Medal count ended with the U.S. atop at 104 Medals, followed by China at 87, Russia 82, Great Britain 65 and Germany 44. Flag bearers for the respective top five countries were track and field athlete Bryshon Nellum, sailor Xu Lijia, swimmer Anastasia Davydova, sailor Ben Ainslie and rower Kristof Wilke (OLYMPIC.org).
WHEN THE BRITS GO MARCHING IN: In London, Emily Payne noted a parade, called Our Greatest Team, will be held for the Team GB "to celebrate British success in the Games." It will be held on Sept. 10, beginning at the Mansion House in the city of London through to central London. Great Britain has enjoyed its most triumphant Olympic Games since 1908 with third place in the Medal table and 62 Medals, including 28 Golds. London Mayor Boris Johnson said the parade was a away of recognizing "the supreme achievements" of the athletes and getting youngsters to take part in sport (SUNDAY TIMES, 8/12).
LEARN FROM THE PAST: In London, Jamie Doward noted senior police officers responsible for ensuring security at the London Games have written to the Home Office "urging ministers to learn lessons from the G4S debacle that led to the army being drafted in to help protect the Games." The Olympic Security Group, the overarching body with overall responsibility for policing the Games, wrote to the Home Office last week outlining a series of "learning points" that needed to be addressed before the U.K. stages another major sporting event (GUARDIAN, 8/11).
