One Direction will kick off the 2012 Olympics closing ceremonies

One Direction is heading to the Olympics.

The British boy band has been tapped to perform at the closing ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics, according to Gather.

One Direction have been asked to kick off the closing ceremonies with their worldwide hit, “What Makes You Beautiful.” The boys will not be alone. Joining them will be a flash mob, performing a routine choreographed to the song.

The former UK X Factor contestants were chosen to be the night’s lead performers over other successful UK acts, including Robbie Williams, Take That, The Who, George Michael and Emeli Sandé, who will also be taking part in the ceremony.

The event will expose the band to a huge audience. The closing ceremonies for the Olympics are expected to be watched by over a billion people.

“The main theme of the Olympic closing ceremony will be celebrating the best of British music, so it’s only right that One Direction are opening the show. They are the UK’s biggest music export at the moment behind Adele, who is also rumored to be involved in some way,” a source told British newspaper The Daily Star.

“It’s all top secret and the boys aren’t allowed to talk about it but they are thrilled. It isn’t every day you get the instant exposure of performing in front of a billion people,” the source continued.

Just eight months ago, One Direction were unknown to people outside the UK. Since then, their debut album, Up All Night, has gone to No. 1 in 16 countries, including the United States. The album debuted at the pole position on the Billboard charts, a first for any British group. In addition to breaking records with their album, their live DVD, Up All Night: The Live Tour, has also had record breaking sales.

Another world tour, a cartoon series, and a rumored concert movie are also in the works for 2013.

The Sun’s source continued, saying, “They have achieved many career highlights at such an early age but this is right up there. To perform in their home country’s Olympic ceremony is like winning their very own gold medal.”