'However, a spokesman for the singer denied that he had used the ceremony as an
opportunity to promote the song. She said Michael chose White Light because the lyrics address his battle with pneumonia, and he thought the message of overcoming adversity fitted the Olympic theme.
“White Light is about the fact he nearly died last year,” said the spokesman. “It’s the first song he wrote after it all happened and he wanted to perform it for fans as a celebration that he’s alive. It seemed quite appropriate.
“He doesn’t need to plug his new single — it was just nice for him to sing it. It’s a bit of a shame that it’s got this response because he was so excited to perform it.”
Organisers defended the choice of song choice, which they described as a “collaboration” between Michael and Kim Gavin, the artistic director of the closing ceremony. “One of the themes of the ceremony was endurance and
physical endeavour, and Kim decided this song was appropriate,” said a
spokesman. '
