Queen hails 'outstanding' Team GB

The Queen has congratulated the athletes of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, saying their efforts had "captured the public's imagination and earned their admiration".

As London 2012 draws to a close, the Queen said Team GB's success - the best performance in more than a century - would inspire a new generation of Olympians and remind everyone how sport "unifies communities and nations".

The Queen herself played a starring role in the opening ceremony for the Games, featuring in pre-recorded film scenes with Daniel Craig starring as James Bond, before appearing to parachute from a helicopter into the stadium.

More than two weeks on, following an Olympics heralded by many as the most successful Games ever, she sent a special message to Team GB, organisers and volunteers, as well as passing messages to the Commonwealth commending their performances in London 2012.

"As the 2012 London Olympic Games come to a close, I offer my congratulations to the athletes of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, whose efforts across the range of Olympic disciplines have truly captured the public's imagination and earned their admiration," the Queen said.

"The outstanding performance of Team GB, in achieving the greatest Olympic success since 1908, will, I am sure, have inspired a new generation of Olympians and reminded us all how sport unifies communities and nations.

"I congratulate, too, the organisers of the Games, as well as the thousands of volunteers who have epitomised the Olympic spirit through the warm welcome they have shown to the sporting teams and spectators from all around the world.

"As a nation, we now look forward to the Paralympic Games and wish all athletes every success."

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will also hold a reception for the 2012 Great Britain Olympic Team in Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, October 23.