UK: OLYMPICS: Thousands of people enter the Olympic Park for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Games

Record ID: 702225

  • Title: UK: OLYMPICS: Thousands of people enter the Olympic Park for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Games
  • Date: 27th July 2012
  • Summary: PEOPLE CHEERING
  • Embargoed: 11th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5GBRRRCTQRA7379YM2U9047AX
  • Story Text: Tens of thousands of fans and officials streamed into the Olympic Park on Friday (July 27) for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.
    Some fans had waited outside the Olympic Park perimeter for hours to attend the opening spectacle of the sporting year's biggest event.
    A rich mix of nationalities and a large number of colourful fans all added to the vibrant atmosphere in east London.
    A member of the Spain House team said he felt Briton were good hosts of the Games.
    "I think they're very very proud of their Olympics and I'm proud to be here with them. I think this is amazing and they are going to be the best Olympics in the history," he said.
    A group of fans from east Africa said they hoped athletes from their country would eventually do well in middle distance and long distance running events, but for now the party was the bigger occasion.
    "We are really happy to be here and representing Ethiopia, as you can see the cultures will develop and expecting more great cultures coming up now," said Daniel.
    British fan Sonia said she was excited at the prospect of watching the surprise-laden 27 million pound opening ceremony.
    "I mean we don't really know what we're gonna expect do we but it's just gonna be brilliant so I'm looking forward to absolutely everything."
    Among the 60,000-strong audience watching the opening ceremony event, which starts at 2000 GMT, will be celebrities, ordinary Londoners, dignitaries including U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama as well as presidents, prime ministers and European royalty.
    More than a billion more people around the world will watch the official start to 17 days of drama when more than 16,000 athletes from 204 countries will contest sport's ultimate prize - Olympic gold.
    Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle has masterminded the show, which is costing 27 million pounds ($42 million) to stage, less than half the cost of the Beijing extravaganza, and will last nearly four hours.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Olympic restriction: Clip cannot be re-published without additional clearances from the IOC. Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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