4 August 2002: The Commonwealth Games in Manchester come to an end in a spectacular ceremony watched by The Queen The Queen brought the biggest ever Commonwealth Games to a close in Manchester on Sunday, 4 August 2002 in a striking ceremony broadcast around the world. The farewell event included a Golden Jubilee tribute to The Queen, an international message of hope and a party for the stars of the Games - the athletes. The Queen and Prince Philip entered the City of Manchester Stadium in an open-topped State Range Rover. They were received on the track by The Earl of Wessex, who is President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, before taking up their seats in the Royal Box to watch the ceremony. The event opened with a Golden Jubilee tribute to The Queen. The stadium was transformed into a living work of art during the ceremony as 800 young people from across the North West wielded 1,600 paintbrushes and 800 pots of paint to create the largest and fastest ever portrait of The Queen. They filled 1,000 square metres of fabric with an image of Her Majesty in just 90 seconds. A parade of team representatives from competing countries followed, with the presentation of the David Dixon Award for the outstanding athlete of the Games to South African athlete Natalie Du Toit. She set world records in the 100m and 50m Elite disabled athlete swimming event despite having had her left leg amputated following a motor scooter accident. The Commonwealth Games flag was then lowered, and an Australian pageant took place, symbolising the handing over of the hosting of the Commonwealth Games to Melbourne. The haunting sounds of the Aboriginal didjeridoo and colourful images of Melbourne landmarks projected onto a screen provided a glimpse of the setting for the 2006 Games. The Queen formally closed the games with a speech.  A Commonwealth Tribute featured some of the most memorable images of the evening. A giant dove - with a wingspan stretching from one side of the stadium to the other - was formed in the arena from lanterns carried by residents of Manchester and the North West. As the 2,000 lanterns were rearranged, the outline of the human dove dissolved into a plea for the world to “Seek Peace”. The tribute also included a giant glowing human body assembled from multi-faith and religious structures to symbolise the common humanity of the Commonwealth, which represents more than a quarter of the world's population and land mass. The finale came with a giant party for nearly 5,000 athletes and officials. Gathered around the stage in the centre of the arena, they and the crowds were entertained by performers and artists including pop musician Dave Stewart and 'Pop Idol' runner-up Will Young. Stars of Manchester's television soap opera Coronation Street joined in the closing display, which also involved 80 ballroom dancers and a cavalcade of Morris Minors and gold coloured cabs. The Queen and Prince Philip left the stadium as a giant fireworks display set Manchester's skyline ablaze.    Back to August index