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National flags are displayed during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Britain's Steve Redgrave holds the Olympic Flame aloft during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic GamesReuters 
The Olympic cauldron is seen alight during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic StadiumReuters 
The Olympic flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic GamesReuters 
Performers wearing wings cycle in the arena during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
Couple embraces after the Olympic Flame was lit during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
Britain's Queen Elizabeth officially opens the Olympic Games during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
The Olympic cauldron is seen alight during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic StadiumReuters 
The Olympic flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic GamesReuters 
A parachutist dressed as Queen Elizabeth is seen during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.REUTERS/Toby Melville 
Team GB athletes' parade.REUTERS 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Queen Elizabeth II and Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, attend the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July.London 2012 
Sir Kenneth Branagh dressed as Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the 2012 Olympics in London and read Caliban's speech from "The Tempest," but Americans who are unfamiliar with Isambard Kingdom Brunel got him confused with one of the most famous of U.S. presidents, Abraham Lincoln.Twitter 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Sir Paul McCartney performs during opening ceremony of London 2012 Olympics, 27 July.REUTERS 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
The Olympic Cauldron.REUTERS 
Mr. Bean puts his inimitable stamp on the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.Twitter 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
India's flag bearer Sushil Kumar 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.Reuters 
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.Reuters 
Jamaica's flag bearer Usain Bolt 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.Reuters 
Japan's contingent takes part in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
Jamaica's Bolt carries the Jamaican flag as he leads his country's delegation in the athlete's parade in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic GamesReuters 
Malaysia's contingent takes part in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
Members of Germany's contingent wave national flags as they take part in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
Ecuador's flag bearer Cesar de Cesare holds national flag in athletes parade during opening ceremony of London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
Members of Nigeria's contingent wave as they take part in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic StadiumReuters 
Members of Montenegro's delegation take part in the athlete's parade in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.Reuters 
Pakistan's flag bearer Sohail Abbas 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.Reuters 
Poland's contingent takes part in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
France's flag bearer Laura Flessel-Colovic 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.Reuters 
Russia's flag bearer Maria Sharapova smiles and waves 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.Reuters 
Ghana's flag bearer Amponsah 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 StadiumReuters 
Guam's flag bearer Dunn 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.Reuters 
Guinea's flag bearer Facinet Keita 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 StadiumReuters 
Estonia's flag bearer Aleksander Tammert holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic GamesReuters 
South Africa's flag bearer Caster Semenya 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 StadiumReuters 
Honduras' flag bearer Ronald Bennett 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 StadiumReuters 
Grenada's flag bearer James 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 StadiumReuters 
Guyana's flag bearer Winston George 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 StadiumReuters 
Mexico contingents in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic StadiumReuters 
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 StadiumReuters 
Members of Spain's contingent participate in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic StadiumReuters 
Britain's flag bearer Chris Hoy holding the national flag leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.Reuters 
Britain's flag bearer Chris Hoy waves the Union flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic StadiumReuters 
Australia's flag bearer Lauren Jackson 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 StadiumReuters
The London Olympics 2012 opening ceremony was spectacular with wonderful demonstration of British life by Oscar winning director Danny Boyle, the man behind the first day show, before Her Majesty, the Queen officially declared the Games open to the cheers of the 80,000 people at Olympic stadium in Stratford on Friday night.
The world's biggest sporting event will have around 10,500 athletes from 204 countries competing in various disciplines for 17 days.
Danny Boyle, the mastermind behind the opening ceremony, gave a feel of the reel world. The stadium was turned into a film set with green lawn, flowers, trees and everything that you see outside the stadium.
The opening ceremony began with Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins ringing the 23-ton Olympic Bell.
Going by the theme "The Isles of Wonder", everything had a feel of yesteryear - bullock carts, costumes, getup, colour and what not. Industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries was showcased, turning the stadium into a workshop.
The ceremony showcased the host nation - from National Health Servide (NHS) to British literature and much more. It was a blast from the past - a journey in time. British music, cinema and romance were also celebrated.
The lighting was wonderful, making the stadium a magnificent picture. Olympic rings went into flames in the sky, which was a unique scene. Danny Boyle did give a spectacular show with his 15,000 strong performers.
Parade of the athletes followed after the formal ceremonial extravaganza. 203 nations took to the grounds in alphabetical order.
Sushil Kumar, the bronze medallist at the Beijing Olympics, led the Indian contingents in the parade. India has a record 81 athletes representing the country in 13 disciplines at the London Olympics 2012. The Indian contingent comprises of 58 men and 23 women, and Ajit Pal Singh is the Chef de Mission.
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