The Royal Ballet School highlighted in closing Ceremony of London 2012

The Royal Ballet School featured strongly in the breathtaking finale of the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on Sunday 12 August.

Former Royal Ballet Principal Dancer, Darcey Bussell, made a dazzling entrance, descending onto the centre of the arena from mid air on a flaming phoenix where she joined members of The Royal Ballet: Gary Avis, Edward Watson, Jonathan Cope and Nehemiah Kish for a performance inspired by the Olympic flame entitled Spirit of the Flame. All but Nehemiah Kish are alumni of the School. The massed ensemble of other dancers was made up of dancers from other British dance companies and schools, 14 of them current students of The Royal Ballet School.

The Director of the closing ceremony was Kim Gavin and the ballet sequences were choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon and Alastair Marriott, the latter being assisted by Jonathan Howells. Logistics and rehearsals for the sequence were all coordinated by former Royal Ballet member Cindy Jourdain: all five are alumni of The Royal Ballet School.

Photographed celebrating backstage following Sunday's performance, from left to right: Gary Avis, Edward Watson, Christopher Wheeldon, Alastair Marriott, Darcey Bussell, Jonathan Cope and Nehemiah Kish.