Opening ceremonies at the 2012 London Olympics

Sports

Opening ceremonies at the 2012 London Olympics

The Opening Ceremonies officially kick off the 2012 London Olympics

Athletes gather around the Olympic cauldron after it was lit during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The United States Olympic team led by flag bearer and fencer Mariel Zagunis marches into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.2012.

Steve Redgrave, right, holds the Olympic torch after entering the stadium during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London.

The Olympic rings come together over the Olympic Stadium in London, England, during the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, Friday, July 27, 2012.

Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London.

A person dressed as Queen Elizabeth II parachutes into the Olympic stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games at the Olympic Stadium in London, Friday, July 27, 2012.

The sun sets over the Olympic Stadium prior to the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at Olympic Park in London, England.

Tennis player Maria Sharapova, center, leads the Russian delegation during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London.

Queen Elizabeth II, right, and Prime Minister David Cameron arrive for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games at the Olympic Stadium in London, Friday, July 27, 2012.

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge attend the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London.

Images of the Beatles are displayed during the opening ceremony of the of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, July 27, 2012.

Emily Atha waits for the start of the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London.

The Olympic rings are assembled above the stadium in a scene depicting the Industrial Revolution during the Opening Ceremony.

Actors perform in a sequence meant to represent Britain's National Health Service (NHS).

Performers take part in pandemonium, depicting the Industrial Revolution during the Opening Ceremony.

Rings representing both the Olympics and the Industrial Revolution are lit during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Actors dressed as Mary Poppins perform during the Opening Ceremony.

Police officers pose with Reece White of Atlanta while he wears one of their hats, outside the Olympic Park ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London.

Spectators bounce smiling inflatable beach balls during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.

A fly-over before the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in London, July 27, 2012.

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Athletes gather around the Olympic cauldron after it was lit during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

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