Olympic Parade: Thousands Line London's Streets To Cheer Athletes (VIDEO, PICTURES)

Cheer We Go

David Cameron and Boris Johnson hailed Britain's most successful team of Olympic athletes as one million people turned out onto the streets of London to cheer the sporting heroes.

The Mayor of London described the Olympic parade as a "tear-sodden juddering climax" to a summer of pomp and pageantry in a rousing and slightly comic speech that left the crowd chanting "Boris! Boris!".

Mr Cameron told the crowd: 'This is the great British summer that will be remembered in hundreds of years to come.'

A carnival-like atmosphere had filled the city as the Britain's Olympic athletes paraded through the capital on open topped floats.

The parade ended at Buckingham Palace where Pet Shop Boys performed before David Cameron and Princess Anne took to the stage, thanking the athletes and their supporters for the "best ever" Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Finally the mayor delivered a speech in his trademark eccentric style, telling the crowds:

"Every single one of you - this was your achievement, you brought this country together in a way we never expected.

"And speaking as a spectator, you produced such paroxysms of tears and joy on the sofas of Britain that you probably not only inspired a generation but helped to create one as well."

Celebration: Thousands lined London's streets for the Olympic parade

Around 800 athletes including Jessica Ennis, Sir Chris Hoy, Hannah Cockcroft and Jonnie Peacock proudly wore their medals as they waved to fans from open-top floats which wound their way through streets full of fans.

The stars of the Olympics' Super Saturday - Mo Farah, who won gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, heptathlon gold medallist Ennis and long jump champion Greg Rutherford - were in the first three floats, which departed from Mansion House in the City just after 1.30pm following a fanfare of trumpets.

Two time gold medal winner Mo Farah making his trademark 'M' sign on board a float (also known as a 'Mobot')

The crowds, dozens deep in places, were a sea of red, white and blue as fans waved Union flags at the passing floats.

Many also held up home-made banners, with some donning patriotic fancy dress for the occasion.

But athletes humbly insisted the procession was also there to recognise spectators for their support during the Games.

Ahead of the parade setting off, Hoy said: "This isn't really for us this is for them because they've made the Games.

"They've made the atmosphere, they've supported the athletes, not just in the venues, but through the streets, and the pubs, the public venues, it's been incredible.

"So it's our chance to give them a wave and a thank you for all the support they've given us."

British track cyclist Chris Hoy thanked the supporters of the Olympics

Ennis also said the parade was a chance for the athletes to thank the public.

She said: "We've had so much support through the past few weeks, every session was filled with cheering British fans, so now to come out and see another huge crowd and thank everyone is going to be really special for all of us."

The parade route started at Mansion House

Ellie Simmonds, who wore her four medals around her neck, waved to the crowd who called out her name as she passed.

She told BBC News: "It's amazing, the support they've given us in the Olympics and Paralympics."

17-year-old 'Queen of the pool' Ellie Simmonds waved to the crowds

Aerial shots of The Greatest Team Parade showed the pavements thronged with thousands of people, while others leaned out of windows and from balconies to cheer the athletes.

Britain's most successful Olympic sailor, four-times gold medallist Ben Ainslie, described the reception as "awe-inspiring".

He had to shout to be heard above the noise from the screaming crowds as he told BBC News: "I'm blown away by the support, it's amazing."

Wheelchair racer David Weir said his haul of four gold medals had not sunk in yet, describing the support he has received from fans as "unbelievable".

He told the channel: "It's just been an unbelievable 11 days of competition."

Triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee and his brother Jonny who scooped bronze in the same event

Speaking from his float, triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee said: "It's amazing that so many people were interested.

"The best thing for us is to see other people inspired, walking down the street and meeting people who say they want to try triathlon or give running a try."

His brother Jonny, who scooped bronze in the same event, said: "It's absolutely incredible today. To see this many people out here is pretty incredible.

"We got a bit of a surprise with how many people turned up to our event and how many people turned up today, it's pretty, pretty impressive."

Zara Phillips, who won a silver medal in the team eventing, waved to fans from a float carrying the equestrian teams.

She told BBC News: "Unbelievable, to think that everyone's come out for all of us.

Zara Phillips said the supporters made the Olympics

"This is like the whole Games though, you know. That's what made it. The crowd were unbelievable and we are so grateful to them."

Paralympic dressage star Lee Pearson told the channel: "What an amazing Paralympic Games, amazing.

"I am so proud of the British public to come out and watch Paralympic sport and embrace it and get educated about it.

"It's an honour to be an athlete in these Games, it really has been."

Asked about the success of the Games, London 2012 chairman Lord Coe told BBC News: "I've never doubted it because the people that have helped us do this have been proud and passionate and it doesn't matter where they live, whether it's in northern Scotland or Cornwall, people have got this.

"I don't think we're ever going to see sport in this country in the same way again."

Athletes were on 21 open-top floats, grouped in alphabetical order by their sport. The parade included more than 90% of Britain's medal winners.

Diving bronze medallist Tom Daley said he believed many people would try sports they wouldn't have sampled before

Speaking ahead of taking part in the parade, diving bronze medallist Tom Daley said he expected London 2012 to be an inspiration to many. He told BBC News: "The range of different sports that we've competed in, the sports that aren't normally getting recognition have done really well at these Olympic Games. It's given people news ideas of new things to try."

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