A spectacular ceremony to open the London 2012 Olympic Games was held at at London's Olympic Stadium. An image gallery by the R-Sport news agency features moments of the rip-roaring show.
A spectacular ceremony to open the London 2012 Olympic Games was held at London's Olympic Stadium. An image gallery by the R-Sport news agency features moments of the rip-roaring show.
Several weeks before the beginning of the Olympics organizers had to shorten the ceremony for fears that the spectators might be unable to get home by public transport after the show.
The image features a spectator before the beginning of the ceremony.
The image features a spectator before the beginning of the ceremony.
The show, with a budget of about 27 million pounds ($42.5 million), was designed by Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle.
The image features a spectator before the beginning of the ceremony.
The image features a spectator before the beginning of the ceremony.
A spectator before the beginning of the ceremony.
The initial stages could have hardly been more British, marked by a flyover from the Red Arrow aerobatics team.
The show was split into three acts: a "green and pleasant land" theme based on the William Blake poem "Milton" that segues into the industrial revolution; a celebration of Britain's government-funded National Health Service; and a modern-day love story championing British pop music and Internet inventor Tim Berners-Lee.
Opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
The ceremony paid tribute to British children's literature, including a duel between fictional characters Lord Voldemort and Mary Poppins.
Opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
The show was followed by the parade of nations, which saw athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees march into the Stadium.
The image shows Russia’s delegation during the parade.
The image shows Russia’s delegation during the parade.
Tennis legend Maria Sharapova was Russia’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony.
The Greek team begins the parade. Then the countries parade in alphabetical order, and the host nation’s team comes the last.
The image shows spectators at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
The image shows spectators at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Boxing legend Mohammed Ali was the Olympic flag carrier at the ceremony.
Seven young athletes lit the Olympic flame: Callum Airlie, Jordan Duckitt, Desiree Henry, Katie Kirk, Adelle Tracey, Cameron MacRitchie and Aidan Reynolds.
The seven young torchbearers moved toward the center of the field and ignited a single flame within copper petals on the ground.
The flames spread to more than 200 petals and gently rose to converge on what organizers called the "flame of unity." It will burn for the duration of the Games.
The show ended with a fireworks display.
