• Dancers perform during the "Night Out" scene in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX *** Local Caption *** 080519-01-08.jpg
    Dancers perform during the "Night Out" scene in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX *** Local Caption *** 080519-01-08.jpg
  • Dancers perform in front of a "setting sun" in a scene dramatising the struggle between life and death. Thomas Coex / AFP
    Dancers perform in front of a "setting sun" in a scene dramatising the struggle between life and death. Thomas Coex / AFP
  • Children representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital, the NHS and childrens literature participate in the ceremony. Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
    Children representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital, the NHS and childrens literature participate in the ceremony. Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
  • Kenneth Branagh, as Ismbard Kingdom Brunel, looks on from the top of a fake hill in the Olympic Stadium. Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
    Kenneth Branagh, as Ismbard Kingdom Brunel, looks on from the top of a fake hill in the Olympic Stadium. Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
  • Inside the Olympic Stadium, as athletes being their parade of flags. Stu Forster / Getty Images.
    Inside the Olympic Stadium, as athletes being their parade of flags. Stu Forster / Getty Images.
  • Bahya Mansour Al Hamad of the Qatar Olympic shooting team carries her country's flag. Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images
    Bahya Mansour Al Hamad of the Qatar Olympic shooting team carries her country's flag. Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Samantha Cameron and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the opening ceremony. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Samantha Cameron and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the opening ceremony. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
  • A flying cyclist is suspended above the stadium. Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
    A flying cyclist is suspended above the stadium. Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
  • Sarah Attar, one of the first female athletes to compete for Saudi Arabia, enters the stadium. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
    Sarah Attar, one of the first female athletes to compete for Saudi Arabia, enters the stadium. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
  • Danny Boyle, the director of the opening ceremony, watches the proceedings. Toby Melville - IOPP Pool /Getty Images
    Danny Boyle, the director of the opening ceremony, watches the proceedings. Toby Melville - IOPP Pool /Getty Images
  • Fireworks erupt over the stadium as the opening ceremony draws to a close. Elsa/Getty Images
    Fireworks erupt over the stadium as the opening ceremony draws to a close. Elsa/Getty Images
  • The flags of the competing nations are placed together on the hill inside the stadium. Michael Regan / Getty Images
    The flags of the competing nations are placed together on the hill inside the stadium. Michael Regan / Getty Images
  • Sir Paul McCartney performs during the Opening Ceremony. Lars Baron / Getty Images
    Sir Paul McCartney performs during the Opening Ceremony. Lars Baron / Getty Images
  • Torchbearer Sir Steve Redgrave hands the Olympic Flame over to seven young athletes who present Britain's hopes for the next Olympics. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
    Torchbearer Sir Steve Redgrave hands the Olympic Flame over to seven young athletes who present Britain's hopes for the next Olympics. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
  • The Olympic Cauldron ablaze inside the stadium. Pool/Getty Images
    The Olympic Cauldron ablaze inside the stadium. Pool/Getty Images
  • UAE flag bearer Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade Mike Blake / Reuters
    UAE flag bearer Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade Mike Blake / Reuters

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In Pictures: The London 2012 Opening Ceremony

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