E vents London Olympics opening ceremony – a great historic moment
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ondon 2012 Olympic Games started off with a grand ceremony welcoming the athletes from more than 200 nations. For London, this is an historic occasion as it is the third time the UK capital is hosting the world’s biggest and most important sporting event. The Queen opened the Olympic Games for the second time in her 60-year reign after a spectacular ceremony. Prime Minister David Cameron and US First Lady Michelle Obama, accompanied the Queen. Entitled Isles of Wonder, the opening ceremony was directed by Oscar-winning Boyle with the aim of celebrating all things British and charting the nation's history. Director Danny Boyle's £27m production kicked-off London 2012 with imagination, style and a very British sense of humor. According to BBC, it attracted a UK TV audience of 26.9 million, - more than four times the number that watched the opening ceremony in Beijing four years ago. An estimate of over a billion viewers worldwide watched the Opening Ceremony, which reflected the key themes and priorities of the London 2012 Games, based on sport, inspiration, youth and urban transformation. The main theme of the Ceremony was 'this is for everyone'. From the industrial to the digital revolution, the Ceremony celebrated how Britain has contributed to the world. The Ceremony also celebrated Britain’s free health service, the National Health Service (NHS) and paid tribute to Britain’s contribution to a modern world. At its heart was a show-stealing performance by the Queen who made her movie acting debut alongside James Bond star Daniel Craig but appearances from Bradley Wiggins, Rowan Atkinson and David Beckham added to the occasion, showcasing British talent and a sense of fun. The Ceremony featured a volunteer cast of more than 7,500 volunteer performers who gave up their weekends and evenings to take part in a total of 248 rehearsals at two east London rehearsal sites and at the
Stadium. Artistic Director of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, Danny Boyle said: ‘Our show was really the volunteer’s show. If you want to judge us as an island, these people are the best of us, and we hope the feeling of the show was a celebration of their generosity.’ A short while before the show began the Red Arrows flashed across London in a thrilling flypast, leaving behind red, white and blue trails of vapor. The world-famous RAF aerobatics team flew above the capital at exactly 8.12pm - 2012 on the 24-hour clock. It started with the ringing of a giant bell by cycling hero Wiggins, who last weekend became the first Briton to win the Tour de France. The stadium was then turned into a 'green and pleasant land' with hills, a cottage and people enjoying an idyllic version of British life. Animals including 12 horses, three cows, two goats, 10 chickens, 10 ducks, nine geese, 70 sheep and three sheep dogs also appeared in these opening scenes. The
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peace was shattered as the age of industry sprouted from the ground with loud banging. A cast of hundreds swarmed on to the centre of the arena as the darker, grimier, urban landscape emerged, with giant smoking chimneys rising up from the ground. The athletes from all over the world, paraded in front of the audience. Pakistani athletes preferred the national dress Shalwar Kameez and projected the national culture. Mystery surrounded as to who would perform the ceremonial event, with Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Roger Bannister and Daley Thompson all tipped as contenders - but the honor became the lot of seven talented young athletes. Before leaving for east London, the Queen and Prince Philip held a reception for foreign heads of state and VIPs at Buckingham Palace. David Cameron said Britain was ready to welcome "the greatest show on Earth", adding: "This is a great moment for our country, so we must seize it." The show has been praised by those who travelled from all around the world to see it. August 2012