Beckham mania likely at Olympic handover

Beijing: England footballer David Beckham will take centre stage when the Olympic flag is handed to London at Sunday's closing ceremony in Beijing.

Beckham, whose popularity in China dwarfs that of even record-breaking swimmer Michael Phelps or sprint sensation Usain Bolt, will take part in London 2012's slot in the Games finale to showcase the next host city.

"He has been passionate about the bid from the early stages, he played a key role in Singapore and he was brought up within a stone's throw of the Olympic Park in London," Bill Morris, the London Organising Committee director of ceremonies, told reporters on Friday.

Star guests

The Los Angeles Galaxy player will be joined in the Bird's Nest stadium by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and London-born singer Leona Lewis.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is attending the ceremony which will see London Mayor Boris Johnson receive the flag from his Beijing counterpart, Guo Jinlong.