It’s here. It’s finally here. The moment that, as a child signified days upon days of those determined early mornings to catch the previous day’s highlights. The moment that, as we grow older, acts as an inspiration to all that we endeavour to do in our lives. The moment that has signified that London plays host to the greatest show on earth, The Olympic Games 2012. The Opening Ceremony.
Director Danny Boyle took it upon himself to depict British history and culture and portray it to the world inside the iconic Olympic Stadium. Seven years of pent up excitement, thousands of volunteers, and hours of solid work all led to the one question on everybody’s lips – would he deliver? There is only one answer.
He delivered.
At a time of unprecedented success within Team GB’s Olympic Sport, the Opening Ceremony was delivered with a warmth and sense of inclusion that captured the hearts of the Great British audience. Boyle delivered a true celebration of the buoyant, creative and, above all, generous spirit that weaves itself within the British society.
The ceremony called for an eclectic mix of ideas celebrating Great Britain in it’s entirety and the importance of all four countries was recognised immediately by Boyle with ease through a series of intermittent shots portraying Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all with equal emphasis. Several figurehead moments throughout British history were accentuated, moving from the thrill and destruction of the Industrial Revolution, to a reflection of the Suffragette Movement, to an in depth expression of the assorted range of music Great Britain has produced from the 1960’s to the present day. Representatives from the Army, Navy, Royal Air Force and Marines were also duly represented.
Two short films intertwined their way throughout the ceremony and people of all ages will undoubtedly recognise a memorable moment in Her Majesty The Queen’s ‘arrival’ along with James Bond (Daniel Craig) by helicopter in a sequence put together by producer Lisa Osbourne along with Boyle, named ‘Happy and Glorious’.
Notable moments also included the excellent depiction of Great Ormond Street Hospital and the NHS, as well as Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, The London Symphony Orchestra, numerous Soap Classics, the social media generation, and none other than Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean.
The diverse range of all 204 countries paraded their flags in style, each providing a taste of their culture in varying degrees of, on occasion, outrageous outfits. Yes that’s you Chad! Speeches from Her Majesty The Queen, LOCOG Chairman and Loughborough University Pro Chancellor Lord Sebastian Coe and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge began closing proceedings by declaring the 2012 Olympic Games officially open!
Sir Steve Redgrave collected the torch, carried along the winding River Thames by none other than people’s favourite David Beckham and led it into the Olympic Stadium. The honour of lighting the Olympic Cauldron was fittingly passed from seven Great British Olympians to seven self-nominated young athletes, excellently depicting the true Olympic aim of truly inspiring a generation. The best kept secret of the night, and fitting to the Olympic motto: Inspiring a generation.
A spectacle incredible in stature has been laid down gracefully in British history; an excellent depiction of all the Great Britain stands for. Now that small matter is over and done with, let the games begin!
