OLYMPIC CEREMONI

Britain fires up the world: London gets the 2012 Games under way with the Greatest  

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The Olympic Cauldron burns, lit by seven young athletes, chosen for their promise by British sporting legends

The Cauldron was formed by 204 petals, one for each nation competing

 

The petals converged into one, after they were lit by the seven teenagers, rising high above the stadium

The audience watched open-mouthed as the burning petals raised

The sporting prospects lit the petals, after they were passed the flame by Sir Steve Redgrave

Young athletes carried the Olympic flame around the stadium, a symbol of the Games' legacy

Former British rower and five times Olympic gold medalist, Steve Redgrave, passes the Torch to seven children, nominated to light the flame

The flame is passed to five times gold medal winner Sir Steve Redgrave by David Beckham, who carried the flame into Stratford on a speedboat

David Beckham was a surprise appearance, accompanying the Flame as it made its final 

Callum Airlie, 17, was nominated by gold medal-winning sailor Shirley Robertson. He has been sailing since the age of four, and is a two-time Optimist UK national champion who aims to be entered into the 2013 ISAF (International Sailing Association & Federation) Open.

Fireworks light up the entire Olympic Park as the ceremony closes and the Games begins

London is illuminated by a stunning firework display as the Opening Ceremony reaches a crescendo

Fireworks lit up the night sky as the Stadium anxiously awaited the arrival of the Olympic Flame

Fireworks created a spectacular display above east London

Proud moment: Sir Chris Hoy acts as flag bearer for Great Britain as the team enters the Olympic Stadium

British diver Tom Daley, left, parades with fellow team members during the Opening Ceremony

A group of flagbearers including Muhammad Ali bring the Olympic Flag into the stadium

The VIP group included Doreen Lawrence, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general and 

Flying the flag: Usain Bolt of Jamaica and Maria Sharapova of Russia carry their nations' flags into the Stadium