London said goodbye to thousands of athletes and visitors on Monday after more than two weeks of excitement surrounding the 30th Olympic Games.

The city's biggest airport, Heathrow, opened a special Olympic terminal with additional check-in desks to accommodate departing athletes and support staff. Competitors from countries as diverse as the United States and North Korea mingled at the airport.

Airport officials expected 116,000 people to leave from Heathrow on Monday, compared with 95,000 for an average day at the airport.

The British news media gave glowing reviews of the games and Britain as the host country, echoing words of Prime Minister David Cameron from his triumphant speech Sunday: “Britain delivered.”

The London Games ended in a spectacular closing Sunday night, including pop stars such as George Michael, groups Madness and The Who as well as the Spice Girls, who reunited for the occasion. Brazilian dancers psyched everyone for the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Some 80,000 spectators attended the three-hour event.