Here we are, the countdown is over, the London 2012 Olympic Games are officially opened! Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opened the XXX Olympic Games, after a great show. 10 Shooters chosen as flag bearer. The sport takes the stage now, with the first competitions to start this morning.
The XXX Olympic Games were declared open by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, right before the spectacular finale of the Ceremony saw the Olympic Cauldron, formed of 205 copper petals representing the competing nations coming together in London for the Games, ignited by seven young Torchbearers nominated by a cavalcade of Britain’s past and present Olympic and sporting greats.
The cauldron lighting included Olympic Ambassadors David Beckham, Jade Bailey, Olympic Torchbearers Lynn Davis, Duncan Goodhew, Dame Kelly Homes, Mary Peters, Sir Steve Redgrave, Shirley Robertson and Daley Thompson.
Ten shooters were chosen by their respective countries to be the flag bearers at the athletes’ parade, during the opening ceremony. Joan Tomas Roca from Andorra, Azza Alqasimi of Barhain, Nino Salukvadze of Georgia, Fehaid Aldeehani of Kuwait, William Chetcuti of Malta, Gaby Diana Ahrens of Namibia, Ahmed Al-Hatmi of Oman, Bahya Mansour Al Hamad of Qatar, Alessandra Perilli of San Marino and Saeed Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates, brought the flag of the shooting sport into the Olympic stadium.
Today, they will join the contingent of 390 shooters coming from 108 nations who will compete at the Royal Artillery Barracks Olympic venue, where the 15 Olympic events of the Shooting Sport will take place from the 28th of July right through the 6th of August.
Following a long lasting tradition, Shooting will assign the very first Gold medal of the Olympics at the 10m Air Rifle Women final, staring at 11 Am on July the 28th.
The Opening Ceremony reflected the key themes and priorities of the London 2012 Games, based on sport, inspiration, youth and urban transformation.
LOCOG Chair, Seb Coe said: ‘The athletes competing at the Olympic Games have arrived in London to give the performances of their lives. We wanted to provide a very British welcome for them and the rest of the world. Danny Boyle has created a show of memories and moments that will last a lifetime for people across the UK and the world.’
The Ceremony celebrated Britain's connections to the global community and culture, and included globally known British stars of song, stage, screen and sport such as Sir Paul McCartney who closed the Ceremony, David Beckham and Daniel Craig – who in his most recognised role as James Bond accompanied her Majesty the Queen in a mission to get to the Olympic Stadium.
The theme of the Ceremony was ‘this is for everyone’, and celebrated contributions the UK has made to the world through innovation and revolution, from the industrial to the digital revolution as well as the creativity and exuberance of British people.
The London 2012 Olympic Games Opening 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.
Using new pixel technology to create a light show within the stadium audience never been seen before, aerial choreography and 12,956 props, over 100 times more than a West End musical, the London 2012 Ceremonies Team transformed the Olympic Stadium into a series of historic, contemporary and modern settings that reflected the cultural changes and revolutions of British society.
And it was the best way to open the Olympics: a great show, leaving now the stage to the sport, to “inspire a generation”, as the 2012 Olympics motto says.