Jul 27, 2012

Young athletes light Olympic cauldron during Opening Ceremony to kick off 2012 Summer Olympics in London

Stokely Baksh 9 Comments Olympics, Sports, World 2012 Olympics, David Beckham, London, Olympics, Queen Elizabeth II

Rock stars, smokestacks, nurses, Union flags, spectators, fireworks, a meadow and… sheep. (Oh, and a Queen, a parachuting Queen, a Beatle, a large Lord Voldemort, a nod to British Literature and David Beckham on a speedboat).

The 2012 London Summer Olympic Games have officially begun in a verdant display of British glory. The man behind the ceremony is no other than Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle, known for films including “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Trainspotting.” The budget for the ceremony is less than half of the estimated spending on the Beijing equivalent in 2008, reported Reuters, coming in at about 27 million pounds or $42 million.

Over the course of the next 17 days, some 10,500 athletes from more than 200 countries will compete for an Olympic gold.

: The Olympic flame burns within the Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Athletes light the Olympic fire during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London. (Saeed Khansaeed/AFP/Getty Images)

: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth declares the Olympic Games open during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

: People gather around the Olympic flame after the cauldron in the Olympic Stadium is lit during the opening ceremony. (Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images)

: The Olympic flame is brought into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

: A fireworks display at Olympic Stadium closes out the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games at Olympic Park. (Elsa/Getty Images)

: British musician Paul McCartney raises his arms as he sings at the end of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Cristophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images)

: Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. (Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

: Athletes of participating countries stand in the middle of the Olympic Stadium after the athletes parade at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters)

: Flag bearer Mariel Zagunis of the U.S. holds the national flag as she leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Jorge Silva/Reuters)

: Flag bearer Mariel Zagunis of the U.S. holds the national flag as she leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

: Members of the U.S. team takes part in the athlete’s march during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters)

: 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. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

: World Wide Web founder Tim Berners Lee waves during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (David Gray/Reuters)

: The Olympic Stadium is seen during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Natascha Keller of the Germany Olympic hockey team carries her country’s flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

: Sir Chris Hoy of the Great Britain Olympic cycling 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. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)

: Sir Chris Hoy of the Great Britain Olympic cycling 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. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

: Members of China’s contingent wave union flags as they take part in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge,talks with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

: Athletes take their places at the Olympic Stadium during the athletes parade at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, July 27, 2012. (Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters)

: Canada’s flag bearer Simon Whitfield holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

: Fireworks explode from Tower Bridge during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: Rings representing both the Olympics and the Industrial Revolution are lit and lifted during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

: Fireworks go off over the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: 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. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) 1

: The Olympic Stadium is illuminated during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games 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. (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

: Members of North Korea’s contingent hold a giant national flag as they take part in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (David Gray/Reuters)

: Brazil’s contingent takes part in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

: The Olympic Stadium is seen during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games July 27, 2012. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)

: Afghanistan’s flag bearer Nesar Ahmad Bahawi holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

: Image of actor Charlie Chaplin is projected onto a structure during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

: Picture shows a general view of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium, July 27, 2012. (Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters)

: Picture shows a general view of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium, July 27, 2012. (Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters)

: Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

: Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Mike Sega/Reuters)

: Images of British musician Mick Jagger are projected onto a structure during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

: Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Phil Noble/Reuters)

: Two Beatles’ Yellow Submarines float over and past performers during the Olympic Stadium in London, England, during the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, Friday, July 27, 2012. (Chuck Myers/MCT)

: Members of the Australia team parde into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)

: A general view is displayed while artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

: A general view is displayed while artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

: 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. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

: Actor Rowan Atkinson, known for his role as Mr Bean, performs during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012 .(Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)

: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Toby Melville – IOPP Pool /Getty Images)

: Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

: A performer playing the role of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth parachutes from a helicopter during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

: Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Jorge Silva/Reuters)

: Chelsea pensioners march during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (David Gray/Reuters)

: Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Max Rossi/Reuters)

: 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. (Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

: A view of the London skyline during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at Olympic Park in London, England. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

: A general view of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: 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. (Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

: A large Voldemort from the Harry Potter book series looms over performers during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)

: Sir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

: The Union flag is raised by service personnel of the British Armed Forces during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

: A general view is seen as dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth attends the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games with International Olympics Committee President Jacques Rogge (L), German Olympic Sports Confederation (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund, DOSB) President Thomas Bach (2nd L) and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (back R) at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)

: The Union flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July, 27, 2012. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

: A general view of the olympic stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arrive during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

: A scene of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Max Rossi/Reuters)

: The five Olympic rings rise above a scene depicting the era of the Industrial Revolution during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

: 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. (Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

: 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. (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

: Evelyn Glennie performs on the drums during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July, 27, 2012. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

: A general view shows the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Phil Noble/Reuters)

: 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. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)

: Performers play rugby before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

: Performers take part in the pre-show of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

: British singer Simon Le Bon from the band Duran Duran performs on stage during the BT London Live Concert at Hyde Park in London on July 27, 2012, to celebrate the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images)

: Bradley Wiggins the first British winner of the Tour De France cycle race rings the largest harmonically tuned bell in the world to signal the start of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

: 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. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

: Bradley Wiggins the first British winner of the Tour De France cycle race rings the largest harmonically tuned bell in the world to signal the start of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

: Spectators wave during the British meadow scene prior the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. (Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)

: The countdown to the start of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games hits two at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Artistic Director of the Opening Ceremony Danny Boyle speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

: The clock face of Big Ben reads 20:12 at The Houses of Parliament in London on July 27, 2012, during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images)

: The Red Arrows formation jets fly over the stadium prior the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)

: Cricketers play cricket on the pitch during the preshow prior to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

: The Red Arrows fly over the Olympic Stadium prior to the start of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 in London. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)

: Aerial view shows the Olympic Stadium before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)

: British Prime Minister David Cameron (R), London Mayor Boris Johnson (L) and his wife Marina Johnson (C) enjoy the atmosphere ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

: Farm animals graze the field during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

: Animals and actors enter the stadium for the British meadow scene prior the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. (Franck Fiferack/AFP/Getty Images)

: People wait prior to the start of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in London. (Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)

: Acting Indian Olympic Association President Vijay Kumar Malhotra (C), his wife Krisha Malhotra (R) and guest Gurmit Singh (L) of India try on their glasses as they sit in the VIP box before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. (Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters)

: Picture shows the general view of the Olympic Stadium before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, July 27, 2012. (Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters)

: Picture shows the general view of the Olympic Stadium before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, July 27, 2012. (Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters)

London opens with pageant for next generation
John Mehaffey/Reuters
8:54 p.m. EDT, July 27, 2012

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Queen Elizabeth declared the London Olympics open after playing a cameo role in a dizzying ceremony designed to highlight the grandeur and eccentricities of the nation that invented modern sport.

Children’s voices intertwining from the four corners of her United Kingdom ushered in an exuberant historical pageant of meadows, smokestacks and digital wizardry before an audience of 60,000 in the Olympic Stadium and a probable billion television viewers around the globe.

Many of them gasped at the sight of the 86-year-old queen, marking her Diamond Jubilee this year, putting aside royal reserve in a video where she stepped onto a helicopter with James Bond actor Daniel Craig to be carried aloft from Buckingham Palace.

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Olympic Photography « mPhoto
Aug 12, 2012 @ 11:46:56

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R. Semel
Jul 28, 2012 @ 09:35:52

Let’s see now – a multi-page spread on the Olympics was provided in the Sun on July 27th. Included on page 7 was a listing of the events vs the days. However, no explanation or code was given regarding the chart – grey, light blue, or three white balls on blue. Nor were any times provided when the events are to occur,. Also lacking in the Sunday TV section was any indication when any specific events would be taking place on the TV channels. This is a failure of the SUN, Comcast, and/or NBC TV to make the Olympics a more enjoyable experience. The combined media has again screwed up.

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Dizzee Rascal Performs At London Olympics Opening Ceremony
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jen stephenson
Jul 27, 2012 @ 23:39:17

Really? I mean, am I the only one who thought this was a total clusterf**** ? The British are known for their great humour, and they followed through with the most hysterical theatrical presentation since Monty Python’s last hurrah. The only thing missing was Benny Hill chasing around topless women in their pantaloons to the sound of ragtime.

Mike
Jul 27, 2012 @ 22:55:44

“the nation that invented modern sport”? Tell that to the Irish, mate.

- Deve
  Jul 28, 2012 @ 07:12:16
  
  Tell what to the Irish? Let’s have a recap of sports invented and developed in Britain; Football, Boxing, Cricket, Rugby, Golf, Tennis, Squash, Badminton, Baseball, Hockey, vastly influential in F1 and motor sports in general…I could go on.
  
  Ireland; Gaelic Football and Hurling. Which no one else plays to a high level.
  
Games open with rousing romp through British life – Chicago Tribune | Headline News Network
Jul 27, 2012 @ 22:04:21

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Young athletes light Olympic cauldron during Opening Ceremony to kick off 2012 Summer Olympics in London

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