London Olympic Games: Opening Ceremony

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 on July 27, 2012. 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.

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.

The Olympic Rings form during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

General View as fireworks illuminate the sky during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Fireworks light up the Olympic Stadium and Orbital during the 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Torchbearer Sir Steve Redgrave poses with the Olympic Flame during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

The Olympic Cauldron is lit during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

David Beckham passes under Tower Bridge driving a speedboat named 'Max Power' which carries the Olympic Torch with its torchbearer on July 27, 2012.

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.

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.

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Performers stand in the formation of a peace sign during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Rings representing both the Olympics and the Industrial Revolution are lit during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

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.

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.

A cyclist is suspended on a wire during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

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.

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.

Queen Elizabeth II (R) and Jacques Rogge (L), President of the International Olympic Committee, attend the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Samantha Cameron, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and British Prime Minister David Cameron watch on during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

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.

Performers in the role of Mary Poppins float inside the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

A giant puppet is seen as performers pay tribute to British children's literature during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

A performer wearing a jet pack flies into the sky during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Performers pay tribute to the National Health Service during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

The Olympic flag is paraded during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

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.

Performers dance as British music spanning the decades is played during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

A general view of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Children 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.

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.

Performers dance in a scene in tribute of The Great Ormond Street Hospital for sick children during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Performers depict a scene in tribute of The Great Ormond Street Hospital for sick children and the NHS during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Fireworks are displayed at Tower Bridge on July 27, 2012 in London, England.

Sir Paul McCartney performs during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

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.

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.

A general view of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Members of the Royal Army, Navy and Airforce carry the Union Flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Danny Boyle, the director of the opening ceremony reacts during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

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.

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.

Performers depict the industrial revolution during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

A performer climbs a chimney stack representing the age of industry during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

A general view of the inside of the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Performers in the role of Mary Poppins float inside the stadium next to a giant puppet during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

The Olympic Stadium is seen during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Performers depict a game of football during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

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.

Performers depict the industrial revolution during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

The Union Jack is raised during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

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.

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.

Performers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie performs during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Spectators throw a ball around during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Performers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Preformers dressed as farmers are seen during the preshow prior to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins waves to the crowd after ringing a giant bell during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Floating clouds are escorted through the stadium prior to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Performers depict a game of football next to a maypole and a water wheel during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

A general view of the stadium is seen during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Giant puppets depict villainous characters from British literature during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Musicians perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

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.

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.

General View of a rural scene created inside the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

General View prior to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Boats patrol the waters in front of the Tower of London ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012.

(L-R) 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.

Fans of Great Britain and Australia make their way into the stadium prior to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Boats patrol the waters in front of the Tower of London ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012.

An England supporter arrives for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Fans walk outside the stadium before the start of the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games on July 27, 2012.

American fans show off their colours during the 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.

Michael Burn of Watford England smiles outside the Olympic Park at the Westfield mall ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony, July 27, 2012, in London.

London 2012 Olympics in pictures