The XXX Summer Olympic Games will kick off in London at the end of July. While fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the competition, the 2012 Olympics organizers are holding the final rehearsals of the Games' opening ceremony. Despite the fact that the preparation takes place in the strictest secrecy, the press managed to find out some details of the upcoming show.
The grand opening of the London Olympics will take place on July 27 at the purpose-built Olympic Stadium in Stratford. The three-hour ceremony will be attended by about 20 thousand people, including 10 thousand volunteers. It will be watched by 80 thousand viewers and at least a billion TV viewers.
The director of the ceremony was the famous British director, Oscar winner Danny Boyle, who shot such films as Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, Trainspotting, The Beach. Boyle intended the show to demonstrate what Great Britain is famous for and what the pride of the British nation is. According to the director, in the performance he tried to convey the atmosphere of Shakespeare's plays.
On the morning of the opening day of the Olympic Games, the whole country will plunge into the bell ringing for a few minutes. The synchronized bell ringing will herald the start of the London 2012 Olympics and Culture Festival. The official ceremony will open at 9 pm London time with the ringing of Europe's largest 23-ton bell at the Olympic Stadium.
The show will continue with a theatrical action, during which viewers will be able to see scenes depicting family picnics, farmers at work, and cricket players. In addition to people, the performance will include domestic animals: ducks, geese, chickens, sheep and even cows.
After the theatrical show, the traditional parade of the countries participating in the Olympic Games will take place, followed by the lighting of the bowl with the Olympic flame, the pronouncement of the Olympic oath and festive fireworks. The XXX Summer Olympics will be officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It is also known that Paul McCartney will perform in the final of the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
The main secret of the upcoming ceremony is, perhaps, the answer to the question of who will light the Olympic flame. According to polls, the most likely contenders for this honorable role are five-time Olympic rowing champion Steve Redgrave, famous British football player David Beckham and Elizabeth II herself.
