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.
© RIA Novosti . Grigory Sisoev / Go to the mediabankA 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.
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.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Filippov / Go to the mediabankSeveral 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.
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.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Filippov / Go to the mediabankThe 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.
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.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Pesnya / Go to the mediabankA spectator before the beginning of the ceremony.
A spectator before the beginning of the ceremony.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Pesnya / Go to the mediabankThe initial stages could have hardly been more British, marked by a flyover from the Red Arrow aerobatics team.
The initial stages could have hardly been more British, marked by a flyover from the Red Arrow aerobatics team.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankThe 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.
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.
© RIA Novosti . Grigory Sisoev / Go to the mediabankOpening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
© RIA Novosti . Grigory Sisoev / Go to the mediabankThe ceremony paid tribute to British children's literature, including a duel between fictional characters Lord Voldemort and Mary Poppins.
The ceremony paid tribute to British children's literature, including a duel between fictional characters Lord Voldemort and Mary Poppins.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Astapkovitsh / Go to the mediabankOpening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
© RIA Novosti . Grigory Sisoev / Go to the mediabankOpening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankThe 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.
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.
© RIA Novosti . Grigory Sisoev / Go to the mediabankTennis legend Maria Sharapova was Russia’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony.
Tennis legend Maria Sharapova was Russia’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony.
© RIA Novosti . Grigory Sisoev / Go to the mediabankThe 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.
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.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Astapkovitsh / Go to the mediabankBoxing legend Mohammed Ali was the Olympic flag carrier at the ceremony.
Boxing legend Mohammed Ali was the Olympic flag carrier at the ceremony.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Filippov / Go to the mediabankSeven young athletes lit the Olympic flame: Callum Airlie, Jordan Duckitt, Desiree Henry, Katie Kirk, Adelle Tracey, Cameron MacRitchie and Aidan Reynolds.
Seven young athletes lit the Olympic flame: Callum Airlie, Jordan Duckitt, Desiree Henry, Katie Kirk, Adelle Tracey, Cameron MacRitchie and Aidan Reynolds.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Filippov / Go to the mediabankThe seven young torchbearers moved toward the center of the field and ignited a single flame within copper petals on the ground.
The seven young torchbearers moved toward the center of the field and ignited a single flame within copper petals on the ground.
© RIA Novosti . Grigory Sisoev / Go to the mediabankThe 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 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.