OLYMPICS. The London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony tonight welcomed the finest athletes from more than 200 nations for the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, marking an historic third time the capital has hosted the world’s biggest and most important sporting event.

The Olympic rings are assembled above the stadium in a scene depicting the Industrial Revolution during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

Following the declaration of the opening of the Games by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the spectacular finale of the Ceremony saw the Olympic Cauldron, formed of more than 200 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.

These included Olympic Ambassadors David Beckham who played who played an important role in bringing the Games to London and has been a big supporter ever since and Jade Bailey a young footballer tipped to become one of the sporting stars of the future who both earlier in the show also bought the flame to the Stadium by speedboat from Tower Bridge. As well as David and Jade the cauldron lighting included Olympic Torchbearers Lynn Davis, Duncan Goodhew MBE, Dame Kelly Homes DBE MBE (Mil), Mary Peters DBE, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, Shirley Robertson and Daley Thompson.

The 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.

Oscar winning British director Danny Boyle and his creative team took audiences gathered in the Olympic Stadium, at London 2012 Live Sites in towns and cities around the UK and more than a billion television viewers in villages and neighbourhoods around the world on a spectacular and emotional journey through British time, culture and society.

The theme of the Ceremony was ‘this is for everyone’, and celebrated contributions the UK has made to the world through innovation and revolution, as well as the creativity and exuberance of British people.

From the industrial to the digital revolution, the Ceremony celebrated how Britain has contributed to the world.

In one moving segment, the sell out audience joined as one in a minute’s silence, remembering fallen heroes who have died in conflicts across the world.

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.

The Ceremony began with a scene of Britain’s ‘Green and Pleasant Land’ and the ringing of the world’s largest harmonically tuned bell by gold medal winning Olympic medal winner Bradley Wiggins, and a reading from Caliban’s speech from Shakespeare’s The Tempest was spoken by the character of Isambard  Kingdom Brunel, Britain’s most revered engineer, played by British actor Kenneth Branagh.

The set was spectacularly changed by more than 2,500 volunteer cast to represent the period of Industrial Revolution. In the section of the show titled ‘Pandemonium’, Milton’s invented word for the capital of hell in ‘Paradise Lost’, the section celebrates a time that unleashed potential in British people, the growth of cities and a working base, and produced an Education Act which gave the opportunity for everyone to read and write.

The Ceremony also celebrated Britain’s free health service, the National Health Service (NHS), in a section that featured hundreds of volunteers from hospitals and surgeries across the UK, including London’s famous children’s hospital Great Ormond Street. This sequence included a celebration of Britain’s place as a leader in children’s literature and the importance and delight of reading and writing with a passage from JM Barrie’s classic ‘Peter Pan’ read by the most successful author in history JK Rowling and references to universally popular characters born in British fiction including Mary Poppins, Captain Hook, Voldemort and Cruella de Vil.

The Ceremony also paid tribute to Britain’s contribution to a modern revolution – the internet revolution. A sequence that featured British music from the 60’s to now, culminated in the appearance of British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the worldwide web and ensured it was placed in trust and protected against ownership so it could be free for the world.

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. On average, adult volunteer performers rehearsed for 150 hours each. The children volunteers were drawn from 25 schools in the six east London Host Boroughs and the 170 16-18 year olds, from six colleges in the Host Boroughs speak more than 50 languages between them.

Artistic Director of the London 2012 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.’

Mike Oldfield said: ‘I am immensely proud to be involved with this momentous event and in helping to bring Danny Boyle's vision to reality. The opening ceremony will see the London 2012 Olympic Games off to a spectacular flying start.’

Tim Berners-Lee said: ‘The Opening Ceremony is a fantastic show, a tribute to the athletes who have worked so hard to get here. It is a great honour to be involved with it. Every Olympic Games is a very special event, but this one is particularly for me being in the city in which I grew up.’

Dizzee Rascal said: ‘It is exciting to be part of the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. It is a good time for the UK and I am glad they asked me to perform one of my greatest tracks to represent the country. Huge respect to all the athletes who are taking part and let's get the party started.’

Emeli Sande said: ‘I am extremely proud and humbled to be part of the amazing ceremony which will allow the world to see some of the best up-and-coming and established talent the UK has produced.’

London 2012 press release
www.london2012.com
28 July 2012 01:44

Katie Wood, Claudia Oreia, Tanie Barnes and Lucy Freeman pose for a picture in front of Tower Bridge ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 in London, England.(July 26, 2012 - Source: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images Europe)

A general view inside the stadium prior to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

A general view of the the set depicting the English countryside during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

Clydesdale horses and a coach take part in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Performers in costume walk cattle through a scene depicting the traditional English countryside during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images Europe)

Performers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

Performers depict a traditional view of the English countryside during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

Performers dance around may poles during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)

Performers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

Performers depict a view of the English countryside during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Performers during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

A performer in the role of Queen Elizabeth II parachutes out of a helicopter hovering above the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images Europe)

Gary Connery and Mark Sutton parachute into the stadium as part of short James Bond film featuring Daniel Craig and The Queen during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.(July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Queen Elizabeth II speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins salutes the crowd during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Europe)

Performers depict the industrial revolution during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

A general view is seen while performers depict a view from the change of the English countryside to the Industrial Revolution during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)

The Olympic Rings form during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.(July 26, 2012 - Source: Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

The Olympic Rings are assembled during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Europe)

The Olympic rings are assembled above the stadium in a scene depicting the Industrial Revolution during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)

The Olympic Rings form during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Chris McGrath/Getty Images Europe)

British actor Rowan Atkinson in his role as Mr Bean takes part in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attending the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games held at the Olympic Stadium in London. (July 27, 2012 - Source: PacificCoastNews.com)

British actor Rowan Atkinson in his role as Mr Bean takes part in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Performers depict a scene of an ordinary family arriving home on a Saturday night during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Dancers perform as they display the initials GOSH - Great Ormond Street Hospital during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Europe)

Performers from the GOSH - Great Ormond Street Hospital perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Europe)

Children and Nurses representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital, the NHS and children literature take part in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

General View of performers during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Europe)

Performers pay tribute to British music during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)

Performers wearing jet packs fly into the sky during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Performers represent a British teenager through the years during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

An artist performs on a bicycle during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

A general view of the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Pool/Getty Images Europe)

The Australian team walk the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Saori Yoshida of the Japan Olympic wrestling team carries his country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

Members of the Great Britain Olympic team enter the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Iordan Iovtchev of the Bulgaria Olympic gymnastics team carries his country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

Iordan Iovtchev of the Bulgaria Olympic gymnastics team carries his country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images Europe)

Members of the Mexico team parade through the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images Europe)

The flags of nations represented at the Olympics are displayed during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Pool/Getty Images Europe)

Olympic flagbearers Daniel Barenboim, Sally Becker, Shami Chakrabati, Leymah Gbowee, Haile Gebrselassie, Doreen Lawrence, Ban Ki-moon, Marina Silva, and Muhammad Ali carry the Olympic Flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Tower Bridge and the olympic rings are lit on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

David Beckham passes under Tower Bridge driving a speedboat named 'Max Power' which carries the Olympic Torch with its torchbearer on July 27, 2012 in London, England. Athletes, heads of state and dignitaries from around the world have gathered in the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 30th Olympiad. London plays host to the 2012 Olympic Games which will see 26 sports contested by 10,500 athletes over 17 days of competition. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images Europe)

Torchbearer Sir Steve Redgrave jogs as he carries the Olympic Flame during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Pool/Getty Images Europe)

Torchbearer Sir Steve Redgrave hands the Olympic Flame over to seven young athletes who present Britain's hopes for the next Olympics during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

The Olympic flame burns in the cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Pool/Getty Images Europe)

Sir Paul McCartney performs during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe)

Fireworks ignite over the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at Olympic Park in London, England. (July 26, 2012 - Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America)