Menu
30/07/2012
London Olympics Opening Watched By Billions
The Olympics opening ceremony on Friday night was watched by an estimated four billion people around the world.
It has been hailed as a low-budget masterpiece in contrast to the mass spectacle that opened the Beijing Olympics.
But the £27m piece was a quirky four-hour tribute to director Danny Boyle's vision of Britishness, with 7,500 volunteers coming together after months of rehearsals.
It included a transformation of the 'green and pleasant land' set out in the stadium into an Industrial Revolution presided over by railway pioneer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, played by Sir Kenneth Branagh.
The ceremony the NHS, nightmarish storybook characters, and a party sequence complete with social networking updates to encapsulate the digital age.
Mr Boyle had a high-pedigree cast in his Britishness performance – JK Rowling, Rowan Atkinson, David Beckham, Dizzee Rascal and world wide web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee all took to the stage.
But undoubtedly the participant who will be recognised most around the world was Queen Elizabeth II, who played herself in a James Bond sketch set in Buckingham Palace.
Before athletes from the participating nations entered, Emeli Sande sang Abide With Me a capella as dancers explored life and death in a tribute to the victims of the 7/7 bombings in London.
After the athletes' parade, the burning question of who would light the Olympic cauldron was answered. Seven promising young athletes performed a lap of the stadium, then lit a cauldron composed of petal-shaped torches which ascended to meet above everyone's heads.
Late-night musical entertainment was provided by the Arctic Monkeys and Sir Paul McCartney.
(NE)
It has been hailed as a low-budget masterpiece in contrast to the mass spectacle that opened the Beijing Olympics.
But the £27m piece was a quirky four-hour tribute to director Danny Boyle's vision of Britishness, with 7,500 volunteers coming together after months of rehearsals.
It included a transformation of the 'green and pleasant land' set out in the stadium into an Industrial Revolution presided over by railway pioneer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, played by Sir Kenneth Branagh.
The ceremony the NHS, nightmarish storybook characters, and a party sequence complete with social networking updates to encapsulate the digital age.
Mr Boyle had a high-pedigree cast in his Britishness performance – JK Rowling, Rowan Atkinson, David Beckham, Dizzee Rascal and world wide web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee all took to the stage.
But undoubtedly the participant who will be recognised most around the world was Queen Elizabeth II, who played herself in a James Bond sketch set in Buckingham Palace.
Before athletes from the participating nations entered, Emeli Sande sang Abide With Me a capella as dancers explored life and death in a tribute to the victims of the 7/7 bombings in London.
After the athletes' parade, the burning question of who would light the Olympic cauldron was answered. Seven promising young athletes performed a lap of the stadium, then lit a cauldron composed of petal-shaped torches which ascended to meet above everyone's heads.
Late-night musical entertainment was provided by the Arctic Monkeys and Sir Paul McCartney.
(NE)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 August 2004
England rugby captain Dallaglio retires
The England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio has announced that he is to retire from the international game with immediate effect. With 73 caps to his name, and an England career stretching back 10 years, Dallaglio said that now was the right time to step aside.
England rugby captain Dallaglio retires
The England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio has announced that he is to retire from the international game with immediate effect. With 73 caps to his name, and an England career stretching back 10 years, Dallaglio said that now was the right time to step aside.
17 May 2010
Culture Secretary Revealed
The media, culture and sport have gained a new champion, as MP Jeremy Hunt was last week appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. Mr Hunt was first elected as to South West Surrey in May 2005 and was formerly Shadow Culture Secretary (2007-2010) and Shadow Minister for Disabled People (2005 - 2007).
Culture Secretary Revealed
The media, culture and sport have gained a new champion, as MP Jeremy Hunt was last week appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. Mr Hunt was first elected as to South West Surrey in May 2005 and was formerly Shadow Culture Secretary (2007-2010) and Shadow Minister for Disabled People (2005 - 2007).
20 February 2006
London Olympics could face blackouts, poll suggests
The 2012 London Olympics could be hit by electricity blackouts, a poll of energy experts has suggested. The poll, conducted by energy company Mitsui Babcock, found that over three-quarters of leading energy experts in the UK cited blackouts during the Olympics as a "genuine threat".
London Olympics could face blackouts, poll suggests
The 2012 London Olympics could be hit by electricity blackouts, a poll of energy experts has suggested. The poll, conducted by energy company Mitsui Babcock, found that over three-quarters of leading energy experts in the UK cited blackouts during the Olympics as a "genuine threat".
06 August 2012
Golden Weekend At Olympics
World record holder Usain Bolt has won the 100m men's sprint at the Olympics, pushing him to gold. He set an Olympic record with the time of 9.53 seconds, half a second slower than his own world record of 9.58 seconds, won at the World Championships in 2009. He said: "I was slightly worried about my start.
Golden Weekend At Olympics
World record holder Usain Bolt has won the 100m men's sprint at the Olympics, pushing him to gold. He set an Olympic record with the time of 9.53 seconds, half a second slower than his own world record of 9.58 seconds, won at the World Championships in 2009. He said: "I was slightly worried about my start.
23 May 2014
Sir Paul McCartney In Tokyo Hospital For Virus
Sir Paul McCartney has been treated in a Japanese hospital after getting a virus, which forced him to cancel five concerts of his Out There World tour.
Sir Paul McCartney In Tokyo Hospital For Virus
Sir Paul McCartney has been treated in a Japanese hospital after getting a virus, which forced him to cancel five concerts of his Out There World tour.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
