Opening Ceremony Countdown Olympic Ceremonies

To all generations since, London. London has known suffering.

Horror has come to London. But London always rises again.

London is a monument to the hard times, to the good. The celebration

of what we have been and what we are today. London, our heart and

our sinews and our voice. # Up-and-down the City Road

# In-and-out of the eagle # That's the way the money goes

# Pop goes to weasel. # Poetry and prose, people and places.

London now throws open its doors on a new Theatre of Dreams. A city in

waiting. A city on the move. Humans on the move. The fascination with

making the next step faster, higher, stronger and putting the fastest

and the strongest to the test. This is London of the Olympic Games. And

since this is our heart, and our voice, London must feel and speak

of romance, of love... # When you turn and smile at me. #

London is ready. So take a deep breath. COMMENTARY: Absolutely

faultless! He has blown them all away.

But not for long. For London is about to cry out with heart and

soul. Let the Games commence! been quite a journey. Seven years

we have waited and now, on the evening of July 27th, 2012, this

relatively small plot of land in East London will take its place at

the centre of the sporting world. Over the next few hours, the

Olympic Flame will meeyander its way to its resting place where it

will glow for the next 17 days. Msh mean -- meander. Welcome to London

2012. The greatest show on earth is about to begin. It will start with

what promises to be a spectacular Opening Ceremony, to celebrate the

Games being back in Britain for the first time since 1948. The ceremony

faces a unique challenge to be as memorable as the dramatic and

lavish welcome we received in Beijing four years ago. Well, the

Oscar-winning director, Danny Boyle, has been drafted in to mastermind

the operation. We can guarantee it will be different. The theme he's

chosen is Isles of Wonder and we will start by celebrating the Green

and Pleasant Land of rural Britain. Britain is the focus tonight and

the world will be watching. Over a billion people will be tuning in.

No pressure then(!)Huw Edwards can tell us more. This is quite unlike

any other ceremony in the history of the Olympics. It is certainly

creative. It's daring. It's highly original. If it all goes according

to plan, I'm going to dare to say that it is going to be a fantastic

start to London 2012. What do we have here? We have a chunk of the

British countryside planted in the British countryside planted in the

stadium itself. But don't be fooled by all of the tranquillity and all

of the greenery and the peace. It will all change. There will be

plenty of noise, plenty of drama. Some great music, too as the

ceremony unfolds. We should, I suppose, remind ourselves, too, as

we look at all of this, what is the main purpose of this Opening

Ceremony? Yes, it is to project British values. It is to say

something about British history. But ultimately, it is about

welcoming thousands of athletes to the Olympic Games. That is the

prime purpose. By the way, there are a couple of mysteries that we

have still not solved. One of the main mysteries is to do with this

work of art. It is the Great Olympic Bell. Made at the

Whitechapel Foundry, which is a local works. They were the ones who

made Big Ben in 1858. Who will be the person chosen to ring that bell

at the start of the ceremony? All at the start of the ceremony? All

will be revealed after 9.00pm. For whom the bell tolls! Over the

next couple of weeks we shall witness incredible sporting feats,

we will live through moments of triumph, trauma and tears. History

shows us we are in for a treat. Daley Thompson. I have the big G,

boys. COMMENTARY: Owens wins!

Faultless! A ten has gone on the board. That is perfection and that

is Olympic history. COMMENTARY: Emil Zatopek is ahead

of everyone else! History is being made. Carl Lewis on his way to four

gold medals. It's an enormous one. He was up in

Gold for Freeman! The nation expected and she's not disappointed.

There is the man who everyone in the world is now watching. Mark

Spitz goes into the record books as the greatest-ever Olympic

competitor. Ovett hits the front and Coe can't get through. Ovett is

in trouble. Coe gets the medal that he wanted.

Tommie Smith does it! It's going to be oh so close! Great

Britain ARE the Olympic Champions by two centimetres. Come on, Kelly!

One more! It's gold! You've won it, Kelly! You've won it!

Sebastian Coe, back at his best, is the Olympic Champion.

Olga Korbut has caused so many sensations here this evening, it

just isn't true. Eight straight gold medals. Every single person

stands and salutes Michael Phelps of the USA, the greatest Olympian

ever. He goes ballistic in all senses of

the word! He has blown them all away.

Hold on, boys, here we go! Great Britain get the gold medal!

And the world record has gone. This man surely is not human.

It is one of those great moments That is what it's all about. Every

day, athletes will wake up to the prospect of fulfilling their dream,

along with the threat of disappointment. The quest for

Olympic gold, the ultimate prize in sport, will provide us with

memories that will last for a lifetime. Our first two guests have

provided us with many of those over the years. We have Britain's

greatest Olympian, Sir Steve Redgrave, and Michael Johnson. The

question that everyone wants to know the answer to, are you going

to light the Flame tonight? I don't know how many times I have been

asked that question! LAUGHTER One more won't hurt! We will find out

very soon. I haven't had a phone call yet. If you excuse me, I have

still got my phone with me. Danny, if you are interested, I'm here.

Give him a call. Where's the caldron? I have been looking around

since I have got here. Any ideas? No idea at all. It will probably

appear from somewhere at some stage, maybe from over the top. Then,

there is quite a lot of cables up there. I think he knows more than

he is letting on! Steve, you were instrumental in bringing the Games

here. You were involved for the last seven years. It is fantastic

for British sport. I was involved in the bid as well, so I have been

involved for 12 years. I remember being asked 12 years ago, sitting

in a cafe in London, saying, "Would you get involved in the bid?" I

said, "Yes, that would be fantastic." 2012, that is such a

long way away. My life had been revolved around four-year chunks.

Here we are, it's happening. It is happening very soon. It's finally

arrived. Michael, you know what it is like to compete in an Olympic

Games in your own country. How different is it? It is very

different. I believe the most significant part of that is the

build-up. The athletes that are about to start competing here,

those athletes over the last few years, on those days when they

don't really feel like training and they are on their way to training,

and you pass that billboard that reminds you what you are training

for, that is an incredible motivation. A home Olympics have

very significant because of that. Then also because of the funding

and sponsorship. There's increased funding and sponsorship for

athletes to train. That makes it a much better situation for those

athletes. Once you come into this stadium knowing it will be British

support here for British athletes, that is a great feeling. Help or a

hindrance? Depends on the athlete. It can be a hindrance to some if

you don't manage it well. You can walk in here and be overwhelmed.

You know going into this - especially for those athletes that

are favourites - they will know there is a tremendous amount of

pressure. You know this is an incredible opportunity and you

don't want to miss out on it. You want to have your best performance

here, but owe know that anything can happen at the Olympic Games.

You have to be ready and you have to produce that performance on the

day. That is very difficult to do. Well, we are here waiting for the

Opening Ceremony. 80,000 ticket holders here at the Olympic Park.

Many others are making their way here. Here at Buckingham Palace,

Her Majesty the Queen has been holding a reception there for many

of the heads of state who will be making their way here to the

ceremony. She is not on that bus, though, is she?! LAUGHTER This is

the scene here at Olympic Park. least the weather has stayed dry so

far as well. Clouds are quite dark overhead. We hope the rain stays

off. This is Weymouth. All the sailing of course takes place down

there. Thousands of people are on the beach. They are going to enjoy

a special showing of the ceremony and the sailors will show up later

as well which, of course, Team GB does pretty well in over the years

and is expected to do well again. It is filling up here inside the

stadium, reasonably slowly, but there's still almost two hours

until the actual Opening Ceremony makes its start. Down to Huw who is

down on the track, or what is left of the track.

Thank you very much. I'll admit, there is a sense of a touch of rain

in the air. It's fingers crossed. It is filling up nicely now. One

thing I would say at this stage, Gary, is as we look ahead to the

ceremony, let's remind ourselves of some of the key reasons that London

was chosen seven years ago to host these Games. Lots of tough

competition at the time. One of the reasons was the involvement process.

To what extent would these Games involve local communities? London,

being such a rich and diverse city, possibly the richest and most

diverse city in the world. When you look at one part of London, the

East End, here, of course the richest and the most diverse part

of the capital city. One of its prime ambassadors is the rapper

Dizzee Rascal and he's been explaining why this part of London

to him means so much and why the Forget Big Ben, Hyde Park and St

Paul's Cathedral, the Olympics is being held in the real heart of

This is the part of the city that needed the Olympics, needed the

investment. I grew up on a council estate called the Lincoln estate.

I learned to DJ and MC, that is where I honed my skills. What is

that? I'm all right. Always good to come back here and meet the people

I grew up with. Long-time! Where I know you've seen me. He always

comes to seem a. You and her should get to see -- get together. Dizzee

Where is everyone? Finally come back to see us after all this time?

Music was a release for me growing up here. It is one of the things I

could focus my positive energy on to. Sport is also one of the things

that keeps people out of trouble. Hackney Marshes, a number of

When I was younger, I was into athletics so that is why the

Olympics mean something to me. This is one of the most multicultural

places in the world and everybody is going to be rooting for somebody.

Not necessarily for Britain and that is not necessarily a bad thing,

it shows the diversity of where I come from. This city has got

something for everybody. You can have tea at the Ritz or go raving

at fabric. Go shopping at Bond Street or the market. You can get

lost or you can get discovered. That is London, the real London, my

London. From one local start to another. They could be cheering him,

Trevor Nelson, who is with me tonight as part of the commentary

team. It is good to have you with us. Amazing, I can't believe I'm

here. It has finally happened. I'm Hackney boy it born-and-bred, I

lived in Forest Gate, the other side of the Olympic site. Like

Dizzee Rascal, I can't believe this. We are walking on what was a waste

ground. Everybody had forgotten about us and now the whole world is

looking at us. I also have a sister and my cousin performing in the

ceremony. I believe that nearly everybody I know it knows somebody

who is doing something, a volunteer, fantastic people. I hope it goes

very well. What has the preparation been like for the local community?

It has been a slow process over seven years. More recently, it has

built up. A lot of people have sacrificed a lot of hours for this.

You've had a lot of changes. A lot of changes of preparation, Danny

Boyle will tell you he has cut a lot of things short. But they are

loving it. This is their day. it comes to the ceremony itself and

these guys have a fantastic view, when it comes to the ceremony, the

music, what are you looking forward to? British music is our greatest

export as far as I'm concerned. I hope Danny reflect that. I'm

looking forward to seeing local people performing. Some of the

legends as well. Rock'n'roll, crime, rave, the whole lot. Danny Boyle is

contemporary as well. It will be a treat. You will be with us

throughout, giving us your response to what is going on. Greater have

you with us. I will be like a fan. Looking forward to it.

I was a little bit worried about those clouds drifting around! We

are a few hundred yards from the stadium where stands the Olympic

village, home for the next couple of weeks to some of the most famous

sporting human beings on the planet. Including, of course, the fastest

of all, you send Bolt, he was looking to make more history in

London. -- Usain Bolt. The men's 100m title has only been

defended once in Olympic history. And even when it was, in 1998, Carl

Lewis didn't cross the line first. -- 1988. I don't know how he does

it, he does something to stimulate him. He was a creditor gold after

Ben Johnson tested positive for steroids. What should have been a

glorious first for Lewis, became just another chapter in a saga of

scandal. But then Usain Bolt hit Beijing. He was from the parish of

Trelawny Dampney in Cornwall County in Jamaica. He put the fun back

into it sprinting by running like this. He has blown them all away.

Three gold medals, three world records, it sparked a new

scientific debate. Could be human frame go much faster than this? It

could. Usain Bolt could. The following year at the World

Championships in Berlin, he set new records. He was now, you Minkley,

Olympic and world champion at 100m and 200m. A running wonder, a

swaggering money-making machine and somehow still lovable. If anyone

could cross the line first in the 100m in consecutive Games, it had

to be Usain Bolt. London would be his crowning glory. But then

something went wrong. The final of the 100m at the World Championships

in South Korea. He wasn't beaten. He beat himself. Did something

changed when he jumped the gun? Yohan Blake, his training partner,

won the 100m without him and since then Blake has won with bold

running twice. There are others who want which goes with being the

fastest athlete on world -- on earth. Have these dangers been

deliberately woven by the master storyteller? Only one thing is

clear. When the ending comes, it We live in an age where we are all

obsessed with technology and gadgets, but there's still a primal

three -- thriller that he can run the fastest. Usain Bolt has had

injuries, there are question marks. It could make it more fascinating.

This will be the most dramatic 100m in history. There are so many

incredible story lines and it has to do with the fact that Usain Bolt

is not at his best. If he is at his best, the other athletes are at

their best, he wins that race every time. But now you have Yohan Blake,

who has proven time and time again, if you leave the door open, I will

walk through it. He wants it. It is a unique situation for Usain Bolt

because we have seen a different Usain Bolt. He is not the best, he

is not as dominant and he is under a tremendous amount of pressure.

He's the only one in this entire race that has something to lose.

Everyone else only has something to gain. That's an incredible

advantage for them. He is by far the best. There's also Tyson Gay,

Justin Gatlin, Asafa Powell is almost like an outsider. It's true.

Everyone has a unique situation. Tyson Gay will have to wait and see

through the rounds. He can't depend on his body. He has had two

surgeries. He doesn't know it whether he will get through the

rounds. At the US championships he was very tentative. That plays on

your confidence. Even though he is so quick and he is one of the best

technicians in the business. He is the second fastest of all time

behind Usain Bolt, but he can't depend on his body. It makes it a

unique situation. Justin Gatlin, coming back after suspension,

nobody expected him to be here. If I am Usain Bolt and Blake, I'm

hoping he qualifies as one of the fastest so he is beside me. If he

is in lane one or lane eight, he is most dangerous by himself. We kid

sees so many going under 10 seconds. Or all of them could go under 10

seconds. Steve, what about Britain's prospects? Expectations

are high, the target is 48 medals. We were fourth in the medal table

in Beijing. Can we live up to expectations? I think we can. It

will be difficult. Everything went well in Beijing. 19 gold medals. I

think we can sneak into the twenties. Where will they come

from? They will come from the main sports that have done it before.

Cycling will still be our best sport. Rowing and sailing will be

up there. There's a few good chances in athletics. Swimming we

are looking strong in. Taekwondo, triathlon, a lot of sports that

will bring in a lot of medals. The overall target we will hit easily,

but the gold medal won will be difficult. Her you have won five of

them! They don't count any more! You have a halo over your head.

There's more to him than meets the eye! We can go behind the scenes

where Clare Balding has got someone with her.

I'm right down here beside the track. The ceremony has a lot of

Britain about it and that means a sense of humour. These people in

the centre have got the most amazing seats. Fees are fee-paying

members of the audience, they are not actors. They will be part of

the show. Tell us how you got the tickets, what you are looking

forward to and why you're here. got the tickets from my son, I'm

here with my sister. The thing I'm looking forward to is the parade

and the atmosphere. Everybody has been so friendly. It is brilliant,

what has taken place here, the transformation, absolutely

brilliant. You're a Londoner? from Walthamstow and I'm here to

celebrate the Jamaican team and the Great Britain team. Enjoy the show.

Where are you from? Woolwich. what about you? Leighton, just down

the road. It is amazing, the spectacle as you walk on to the

island. It is only when you get into the stadium that you realise

what a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle this will be. What an opportunity

for you guys to be here and be part of it. What about you? I'm living

locally and this is a nice crowd. Everyone is cheerful. Everyone

really liked that. Nice one. Nice experience. It has made such a

difference in Stratford and everybody, as they come out of the

park and going across into the shopping centre, last night

everyone was smiling and everyone in the stadium is smiling,

including phrase two ladies. They are in the show. We are part of the

mechanical team. We have to do audience leader, get them involved

in the show. But in 3D glasses on. And keep them energised, which

shouldn't be difficult. It is a wonderful atmosphere tonight and we

are really, really enjoying it. Well done to you because you are

both volunteers and part of the huge band of volunteers, but

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

particularly you guys, enjoy Now we really can't wait because

there's just an hour and a half before the Opening Ceremony starts

in the Olympic Park, but it's not just about London. Football matches

are taking place all around Britain and tonight big screens have been

assembled in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Let's take you

around a few of them now and to Belfast. They will be watching on

the big screen to see the Opening Ceremony, to see the Olympics get

under way. There they are. screens all around Britain this

evening. Everyone has been looking forward to this Opening Ceremony

for a long time. This is Edinburgh. They are clapping, they are not

clapping us! The pipes. The pipes are playing and the build-up

continues. Tower Bridge, that is where the flame is at the moment.

It made its way up the River Thames to there. Steve Redgrave is still

not giving anything away about who might light the flame. That is

where it will be coming from later. Every time I see a flotilla, I get

slightly nervous! Let's get onto the beach. Glorious evening in

Doesn't that look wonderful? Not long to wait for all of them down

there. Great scenes all around and here in the stadium, too, it is

getting gradually more full. It's 50%, 60% full now. Yeah. Everyone

who is lucky enough to have a ticket tonight is going to enjoy

themselves, from what we have heard. The biggest cheer was when the

first cloud came into the stadium - it got a massive cheer. LAUGHTER

Imagine what will happen later this evening. There will be a few

occasions when rehearsals will be going on behind us. We don't want

to spoil it for you. We will pop across to the other side of the

Olympic Park to our studio. There it is. It's that blue structure

there. I was in there last night for the Great Britain team playing

against Senegal. It is a great spot. Who is in there? I know, Jake

Humphrey and Mishal Husain. You found us! Welcome to our side

of the Olympic Park and this fantastic view of the stadium. What

an incredible night for London and for the whole of the UK. It is so

exciting, particularly those shots looking around the UK. I would like

to be on Weymouth beach this evening! We weren't lucky enough to

get a ticket to be inside. We will be joined by people who know what

it feels like to carry their country's flag, to march proudly

into the stadium and to stand on the top step of the podium, people

just like this. As the hosts, Team GB will go last into the Athletes'

Parade. It is an honour to be asked to carry the flag. Sir Steve

Redgrave has done it twice - 1992 and then again in 1996. Sir Matthew

Pinsent has done it once - that was in Sydney in the year 2000, the

Sydney Olympics. And in Beijing, it was swimmer, Mark Foster.

incredible honour for all of them. Welcome to some distinguished

company, Sir Chris Hoy. A man who deals with the pressures of the

Velodrome is taking his flag- bearing duties in his stride. Let's

see how he is feeling with Sir Matthew Pinsent. I am. Let's be

clear, this isn't the Parade uniform you are standing in front

of us with? No, this is the regular village wear. I'm going to get

changed in a few minutes. What does the uniform look like? I wouldn't

want to give too much away. It is very bright and there is a bit of

gold in there. It's going to be an eye-catching outfit. Describe the

mood within the British team at the moment? I arrived in the village

about an hour or two ago. There's just this electric atmosphere from

everybody, not just the British team, but in the cycling team in

particular, we have been up in Newport and there's been some

incredible performances by the team. We are ready to get on with it. It

is such an exciting time. Can you describe what it means to carry the

British flag tonight? It is not easy to explain just how proud you

feel when you are asked to lead the whole team out there and it is

something you have experienced. I will be speaking to you about it

later on! It won't hit me until I walk into the stadium. It's such an

historic moment and to be the person that carries the flag, it is

a huge honour. That little bit extra special because it was voted

by the other athletes? You are their choice? Very flattering. I

hope I will do the job well and I can do them justice and carry the

flag high with pride. Steve Redgrave and I used to have this

thing about arms straight - you are not going to use the holster. What

is your decision? You have to carry it. You can't have the holster!

Mark Foster got some stick last time because of that. LAUGHTER

Thank you very much. Enjoy it. Thank you, Matt. If one man is not

going to go with the holster, that man is! Now to Ian Thorpe and

Sharron Davies. Thank you for coming in and joining us up here.

You will break a habit of a lifetime this evening, Ian. You

will go to the Opening Ceremony of an Olympic Games. You have never

been before? I have never been before. Most of the swimmers

haven't been because they have to compete on the first day. You made

home advantage work for you? worked for me and no holster for

me! LAUGHTER Your medal moment was in 1980. What are your Olympic

memories? The Olympics are so special. Lots of memories. Winning

my medal in 1980 was important, but every Games has a character about

it. These Games are the best so far. Everyone is so friendly. The

facilities are beautiful. Everyone is so excited to get going. What is

the atmosphere like in the stadium? About five minutes ago, you got the

call to come over here! So you have not lost your pace! There's a few

of us over there that are all dressed this way. Very excited to

be asked. We only got asked about a month ago. We didn't even know. We

are all in there and we have a bit to do later on. You look great.

haven't seen a lot of each other. We will talk more swimming in a

second. All the swimming action here in London is going to happen

at the Aquatics Centre. We have a fantastic view of it just here. It

was designed by Zaha Hadid. Inside, it is a stunning interior, one you

will see a lot of in the coming weeks. The swimming pool at one end,

the diving pool at the other. The star swimmer of Beijing's Water

Cube is Michael Phelps. He is going to be competing here. He's had a

remarkable tally of 14 gold medals. A few more in London will take him

to a new record. The great Michael Phelps is only 19, going for eight

COMMENTARY: That's the fourth gold medal of these Games to Michael

COMMENTARY: Still on for eight COMMENTARY: Waiting for history.

# And a real hero. # The greatest Olympian, ever! If you

dream as big as you can dream, A physique I'm always jealous of!

14 golds. If he picks up another three, Michael will have more

medals from the Olympics than any other athlete in the history of the

Games. Will it happen? If we are talking about three gold medals

here, I'm confident in Michael being able to secure that kind of

number. Looking at eight compared to that, Michael in what he's

swimming has the potential to win more than that. I spoke to his

sister today, actually. She said he is looking pretty good. It's not a

foregone conclusion, is it? He has stiff competition from the US team?

Very much so. He has sort of lost his way a little bit. But he has

found his mojo again. Ryan beating him on a couple of occasions has

given him drive. He's made a big comment about wanting to enjoy

these Games because it will be his swansong. He will be retired after

this. It is important for him to take up every bit of the atmosphere.

Talking about being relaxed, Hannah Miley is known as "Smiley Miley."

To win gold is going to be so difficult? I have a soft spot for

her, it is my event. It is going to be tough. Out of eight of them, six

stand a chance of winning that gold medal. Could she take gold? She is

ranked two in the world on the time she has done this year. He's only

just behind the American by half a second. Steph Rice is defending

champion. She will be in good form. She is coming back into form as

well. It will be tough. It won't be easy. It is a tough event. We will

have that rice live here tomorrow morning on BBC One. -- that race

live here on BBC One. What about Rebecca Adlington? How is she

looking? She is really relaxed coming into this competition. She

has a tremendous amount of pressure on her, not only being at a home

Olympic Games, but defending champion in some of these events.

I'm hoping she does well. She has a big challenge in the 400 m. This is

what the Italians are talking about. The French girl is looking good. I

put money on the 800! LAUGHTER is going to be. Tomorrow morning,

that is when we will see that action get under way. Thank you

very much. Well, already the Torch relay has been an amazing part of

this Olympic story. After a 70-day journey, the last time we saw the

Torch today was at Tower Bridge. That is where it disappeared from

view after travelling along the Thames this morning. There were

once concerns over the public embracing and relating to the Torch

as it travelled the UK. What an incredible success it has been. I'm

going to miss checking out torchcam every morning! The final leg

remains top secret. We do know it will end in the same place that Sue

and Gary are, inside the Olympic The crowd is building up and the

wait is almost over. Jake was talking about the Torch relay and

8,000 lucky people had the honour of carrying that Torch all the way

around the country. In fact, it was a man on my right also, Gary

Lineker, he got the chance to carry the Flame. He did it in Leicester.

It was an early start for you? 7.30am in the morning! I had to be

there at 5.30am, but it was an amazing experience. Very emotional.

Despite the early morning start, a few people came out. Did you enjoy

it? I loved it. I'm not the only one, am I, Sue? You did it in

Sutton? I did. The crowds were tremendous. It was such a "feel-

good factor", the cheering, everyone had such a positive vibe

going forward. Still the "golden girl"! Look at that. Michael, you

impressed with the running style there? I am. I was going to talk

about your knee lift, though! LAUGHTER She's not got your running

style. Shall we have a look at your style? You did it in Stonehenge?

did. At least Sue was running(!) LAUGHTER It was a great experience.

I had never been to Stonehenge before. Carrying the Torch, it was

phenomenal. The sunrise that morning, a beautiful day. Your halo

is still there, Steve! You have carried the Torch already?

Henley. That is where the rowing was in 1908 and 1948. Rowing with

one arm? I carried the flag with one arm, I carried the Torch with

one arm as well. We crossed the line, the two finishing lines. I

was blase about it beforehand. The emotion of doing it was

unbelievable. I'm surprised that would be so significant after what

you have achieved? All those gold medals. You have done everything?

It's a home Games. I was with Michael a couple of weeks ago and

we were at a dinner together. I have been telling everybody I would

have loved to have been competing at 2012. I think I have probably

got the better place. I have done my Olympics. Now I can enjoy every

minute of it. I'm enjoying today and what is going to happen in the

next hours. If we sneak between - you can see Huw with Hazel Irvine.

That is the commentary position. Nice to see you! Can you see me?!

Take it away. Hazel is with me. We were in

Beijing together. We were. first thing we should do is remind

people at home that there is a big purpose to this event, which is not

just drama and spectacle, it is to do with welcoming thousands of

rather special people? Indeed. Danny Boyle says his primary

function is to do that. 10,490 athletes from all over the world,

204 nations and territories all competing in 26 different sports.

It is when they come in here that we will have our work cut out.

mentioned four years ago. We did leave the Bird's Nest stadium

saying, "Nothing will ever beat that!" Yes. We have seen lots of

this ceremony. It's got the It does. Four years ago it was or

precision and wonderful stage management and the formality of

thousands of people. This has energy and dynamism. A lot of

people involved in it. It will be very different in tone from four

years ago. It is very, very compelling in its own way. The man

responsible for that compelling note is Danny Boyle. It is time to

hear from him. I had a word with him about his vision for tonight's

Where do we start? Trying to construct an event on this scale.

We sat down with a bunch of people. It is a wonderful thing to do. You

focus on the best of us. You have to be slightly critical, as part of

that process, but you realise that the evening is a festival of

celebration of the best of us. One of our key people is an American,

Suttirat Anne Larlab. I have worked with her many times and she is

great. She did not grow up here. She will tell you, I don't know

what you're talking about, the international audience will be

completely bemused, if you are going on about the Clangers. You

have to keep an international perspective. It has to represent us

and feel truthful about the details of our heritage and growing up. But

you also have to make sure it doesn't just befuddle everybody

abroad. What are the British values, in simple terms, that come out of

this show? The place we are in the world is a very different place now,

economically and politically, compared to the last time we hosted

the Games, when we brought together the world after the war. As the

flame drew nearer, vast crowds poured into the stadium in the

blazing sunshine that graced this opening day. There's a modesty

about it as well. We are aware of our place in the world now. The

Olympics helps you do that because it is the coming together of all

different nations and although we had booked -- we hope to be fourth

in the medal table, most of all you hope to be in the mix. To what

extent did you manage to balance the past, the present and what you

think will be the future? You have to remember where you come from,

you have to have respect for the past, but you are pushing forward.

This is really about youth. Not just in a PR sense, this is about

the next generation. To what extent have you been conditioned by

previous shows and are you reacting against some of them? Are you

borrowing elements from others? There are certain things in built

that you can't avoid and you don't want to avoid, like drumming. There

will be some drumming! They are wonderful. One of the Games we

valued was Sydney. They rightly called that the People's Games.

They managed to generate a feeling of inclusive a T. It felt like it

belonged to the people and they were preventing this -- presenting

this festival. If we get compared to that, I will be very proud. I

don't think you can be compared to Beijing, it was an awe-inspiring

spectacle, we wanted hours to be spectacular but also feel inclusive.

And have a warmth about it that might surprise people.

SUE BARKER: London is waiting. Danny's story will look at the

history of Britain and the future. London 2012 is all about leaving a

legacy. The logo of the Games is inspired a generation, as they hope

youngsters will want to follow their heroes. Every athlete has a

story to tell and this is the story of one hour -- one of our Golden

girls. Denise Lewis is the Olympic champion! I remember grinning, just

grinning from ear to ear. dazzling smile appears. My mum was

in the stands at the time. She was emotional, but also very proud.

What a picture. I felt I had come such a long way to get to that

point. On your marks, get set... was a sporty kid. Primary school, I

couldn't wait for break times when I could just run up and down the

yard and race against people. I wanted to take on the best in the

year and once I had dealt with all the girls, I wanted to take on the

boy's! Fantastic to see so many of you turn up even though it is

raining! We are still having fun! My mum was always there. It was

just me and my mum. I grew up watching her, I was at nursery at a

very young age because she had to work. She had to put food on the

table, pay the bills. We were like a little team. There was something

about athletics, feeling free and just challenging myself. I went to

my mum and said, unique to take me to the nearest track. To a degree I

think my mum kind of went along with it at that time. You are still

very much heavily into school life. I was constantly worried about

school because I thought that was more important. We had a lot of

arguments about that, as you can imagine. For me, it was always

about me doing it, me needing it and not being held back. When I

used to finish school, I would be here in this patch with my big

kitbag. This is my sleeping patch. I used to get maybe half an hour,

40 minutes' sleep in this corner before I had to start training and

warming up. I don't know how she did that because I can never sleep

in half-an-hour. Competition morning, I learnt to keep away from

her. If I saw her at breakfast, she doesn't want anything to eat.

Everything is fine, Mum, leave it! She would put her music on and she

would go into her zone. This stadium is home. I'm a lifetime

member of Birchfield Harriers. It is a breeding ground for talent, it

really has. Their first Olympic champion. What a moment for Great

Britain and what a wonderful moment for Denise Lewis. If you would like

to get involved in Olympic sports, Here she is, Denise Lewis. She

sleeps on the floor. Can't believe that! In many ways you can be a

world champion and European champion, but there's more to life,

you have to win a gold medal and that is the difference. It is. You

dream about being a big champion, that is what most of our sportsmen

and women dream about. It is not about being world champion, it is

about being Olympic champion, emulating the stars you have seen

from yesteryear and wanting to be that person. What a magical feeling

it must be. The best feeling in the world. It has given me such a great

life. Standing on the podium is important, but what I've been able

to give back to my community, my friends, my family, the next

generation of sports stars is priceless. She has certainly

inspired so many young girls to take up sport and in 2012, almost

5,000 women will compete in London. Women's boxing makes a first

appearance at the Games and for the first time in Olympic history, all

200 for participating nations will include female athletes. Quite a

He won the modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896, women were

perfectly welcome, as spectators. Fuelled by the turmoil of World War,

female emancipation was slowly becoming a reality in life and in

sport. In 1928, days after voting equality was achieved in Britain,

the first women's Olympic 800m started in Amsterdam. Germany's Li

Na Red Cap won gold, but some for the spectacle unedifying. The Daily

Mail said there was sobbing girls, all of the women collapsed and it

was a terrible sight. But it is just not true. This was the

testimony of one finalist, American Florence McDonald. I think the goal

that won the race did OK. -- girl. Sport was controlled by men of

certain parts of society and the reaction to seeing women in the

sporting arena was, this is unladylike. It was much more about

that than it was about worrying about the health, that was a red

Hering. The IOC women could not or should not run such distances. They

would come -- banned from competing beyond 200m until beyond -- until

the Rome Olympics of 1960 ft up the Second World War not only changed

the course of history but also the cause of women's lives. In

emergency, they had led the way and post war, they wanted to maintain

the sense of responsibility. In 1948, a 30-year-old mother of two

from Utrecht came to embody that ethos. But when Fanny Blake has

going arrived at the London Games, she was not universally welcomed.

She was criticised. She received letters from people saying she

should not leave her children. She had a hard time in being accepted.

The critics soon revise their views as the so called Flying housewife

stormed Dugald in four of the nine women's events. Stash stormed gold.

And she had one last surprise. When her third child was born in 1949,

it became clear that she had competed in London while pregnant.

Sex, drugs and rock and roll, but the 1960s was also an era of

demonstration, of civil unrest and Women's lip. As feminism performed

-- forge forward, so did sportswomen on the world stage.

is poised to jump into Olympic history. A beautiful jump! She will

take the gold medal! Ann Packer of Great Britain. Come on, Mary!

has the gold medal! You don't realise it at the time and you are

breaking down barriers for women. But as you look back, you realise

that yes, we were doing something right at the time. In Montreal in

1976, women's handball, rowing and basketball were added to the

Olympic programme and a woman achieved the impossible. Perfection.

Verity is! 10. Olympic history. -- there it is. Her by the 1980s,

women were reading the news and they were the news. The dramas of

the female players on the Olympic stage were just as compelling. The

rivalry of Fatima Whitbread and Tessa Sanderson. The acrimony of

Zola Budd and Mary Decker. And the incredible exploits of Florence

Griffith-Joyner. After nearly a century of Olympic competition,

this was author of the decadent that finally delivered the holy

grail for female athletes. The marathon. 90,000 people greeted the

victory in Los Angeles, a win that was nearly 100 years in the making.

By the 1990s, sport was big business, advertising, sponsorship,

marketing, all meant your body was your brand and four women in

particular, that meant that what it looked like was just as important

as what it could do. Women and women in sport are judged on how

they look. It is not right. You only have to look at the magazine

covers to see what type of women make it onto the front cover.

inclusion of women's boxing is historic, symbolic and it is real.

It means that London 2012 finally offers women's -- women sporting

parity with men and that will have ramifications far beyond these

Olympic Games. In his Opening Ceremony, the

history of the women's movement is reflected, particularly the

suffragettes, Emmeline Pankhurst, who won women the right to vote,

and got equal rights for men and women in 1928. We do just tough her

relatives -- and a representative, but also relatives. My name is

Helen Pankhurst and I am the great granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst.

What is the vision of Danny Boyle in terms are reflecting your great-

grandmother's struggle. importance was the suffragette

movement and the contribution they made to British history. They

fought for women's right to vote and that wasn't just about voting,

it was about equality, political equality. To get that into a show

like this has been really important. What about you? You are 17, still

at school. It has been amazing, but more than that, it is really

important to me personally because of my background, but also because

inequality and equality, it is so unequal globally as well as here.

It is incredible that we get to spread the message to such an

enormous audience, especially as my relatives had to fight so hard,

even for a tiny audience, and we have a billion people. What we do a

It's amazing that you're representing everything the

Pankhurst family has done. Good luck. Thank you very much. There it

is, it's livening up inside the stadium. The crowds are in and we

have animals, lots of them. Geese, obviously, it's a farmyard view

here. Shire horses, it's hard to know what they're going to do with

them all. It's open to your imagination at home. All will be

revealed, of course, pretty shortly. Cows and goats, all sorts.

Fantastic stuff. One of the many aspects to look forward to in

tonight's ceremony, about an hour from now. Not all the competitors

will take part though. No the spotlight, pressure lies heavily on

the shoulders of the British competitors. To protect the track

and field team, who don't start their campaign for eight days, UK

athletics have taken them to Portugal to the resort there as

keeping them fit and focused on the challenge ahead. Our man there is

Phil Jones. First of all, I hear you were doing my job last night?

Oh, I promise your job is well and truly safe! I did host a question

of sport for the athletes here last night. Not surprisingly it got

competitive. There were four teams of four, two lofts semi-finals. Two

of the teams were led by Lawrence Clark and Andy Turner, two of our

hurdlers. The final teams were led by Dai Greene and Christian Malcom.

It was Christian who won by a couple of points. But it was more

about the taking part that counted than the winning. At the end of it

all, it did the trick. We rallied the troops. There were a few laughs

and the team spirit seemed to shine through.

The athletes have been here for three of the last four years before

major championships to prepare. On the last couple of occasions it

seems to have worked a treat. They've gone on to have successful

campaigns. We hope for more of the same this time. The fact that

they're here means they can't be at the Opening Ceremony tonight. Trust

me when I say they're very much with you in spirit.

It's a home away from home for Britain's athletes. Monte Gordo was

the base in 2009 and Barcelona Europeans a year later, both

successful championships for Team GB. It's a so-called holding camp,

a pause for final preparation, a haven away for the hype -- from the

hype for the medal hopefuls. takes the Gold Medal! For one

Olympic champion it's not only a question of avoiding the hype, but

also an invasive sentimentality. The emotion has gone out. It's pure

business. At the same time, when everybody's gone home, I'll still

be there. It's something that I'll always remember and be proud that

somewhere I've grown up has been able to host one of the most

amazing, important events in the world. Being in the UK, with all

the hype surrounding the Olympics is not good for British athletes.

We've come away. We get no distractions out here. We focus on

our training, recovery. Everyone's been on teams together before. The

new recruits seem to find their footing in the squad. There's a

fantastic atmosphere. It's a pleasure to be around the other

athletes. The Jessica Ennis is here, ready for her close up. The mood in

the camp is good. It's nice to be out here finally. Everyone's

feeling positive and training well. We're going to watch the Opening

Ceremony together in our uniform. We can't be there, but we'll be

here together as a team. It would have been nice to experience it,

there but we're going to do something with everyone and we have

our Opening Ceremony kit. So it will be exciting to be with the

whole team. Not all star athletes are here to share in the team

viewing. Mo Farah, Gold Medal contender over 5,000 and 10,000

metres is at altitude in Europe, fine tuning for his pursuit of

Olympic history, four years after disappointment in Beijing. He's

going through a bit of a bad patch. He's in serious trouble now.

wasn't easy. It was the hardest time in my life. As an athlete you

know you can do better, but you didn't do it. It's hard to deal

with yourself. Something you work so hard and you know you could have

done, but you didn't do it. I think there's going to be a few Dark

Horses and underdogs who will be a shock and surprise people. You

might not know who they are now, but by the end of the Games they

will know. We all want to excel in London. Everyone knows we're on the

verge of perhaps achieving something great. There Just having

a home crowd and you know, it's the Olympics, it's a huge occasion.

That's just going to bring out extra performances in all of us.

I'm joined now by two of our medal hopefuls inage letsics, Dai Greene,

Robbie Grabberts in the high jump. It's a special night across the UK.

You're here in Portugal, you have separate plans tonight? Yes indeed.

The athletics squad is preparing for the Games. We won't be in

London tonight, sadly, but we're all gathering together to watch the

occasion and we'll all be glued to the TV all night. I know you have

this particular kit on here, but the special unveiling of another

kit later I hear? Yeah, there's a slight strip show and then

transformation into a surprise outfit. Part of that, I've heard,

there might be spectacles, tell me about that? That's also a secret.

Keep your eyes peeled for the team photos. One thing that struck me,

we saw the question of sport clip from last night, you were part of

that. There's a great team unity here. You as team captain are at

the forefront. There's a good mix of youngsters coming into the squad.

Athletes who have been in the squad for many years too. There are

friends in the squad and I think that just goes a long way to

creating a positive attitude in the squad. We all feel like friends. We

all want each other to succeed. It's great having that feeling

going to the Olympics. Robbie, I'm sure you need to be focused but

trying to deliver an air of relaxation before the big job.

nothing more than that. I'm all about having fun. It's nice to

share that with other people as well. Relax those who may be a

little tense and let the relaxation rub off on everyone else. You might

be hundreds of miles away from the Opening Ceremony tonight, I know

you'll be there in spirit, is there a message to send back to the

millions watching at home? I hope all of Britain try to tune in,

enjoy the moment. It's a fantastic achievement to have the Olympics.

I'm sure we'll do a great job. Everyone should dot upmost to get

behind the team and enjoy tonight. Enjoy the Opening Ceremony, enjoy

the Games. Thanks for talking to us. Every pull of an oar, every lap,

every sprint for the line, every mile every tack of the sail, for

one obsession. So much to look forward to. Look

who's joined us, the one and only John McEnroe. Have you met John?

Long time no see! '77 was the first year we saw each other. Sue should

have won Wimbledon. Don't start that! She just got over it. No, I

haven't. Do you two know each other? We do. It's a pleasure to be

sitting next to Michael especially at my first Olympics. I'm pumped up.

You never competed in an Olympics. Plenty of chalk dust but no gold

dust. Well put. What are your first impressions? I'm excited. I don't

know about this scene, this rural England or whatever it is, it's

pretty awesome. I had a chance in '88 to play, but didn't participate

because I felt like tennis players shouldn't be in the Olympics. But

this year at Wimbledon, quite a bit more exciting for the players. Soy

think this is, I'm missing it. I wish I had the chance to play. I've

got to ask one question though, the British track and field team, I

never had a chance to participate in an Olympics, it is a regret. I

wish I did. A lot of these guys I'm guessing, may never be here again,

couldn't they have flown them in and flown them back to resume

training in the moment? Gary, come on? Nothing to do with me. I'd have

had them here. Ask this man. Even those who will get this opportunity

again, you're right, it won't be in London again. This is a once in a

lifetime opportunity. In 1996, Atlanta Olympics, I understand

where they're coming from. You don't want to be in this

environment. I flew in and flew right back out. I flew in the day

before, for the Opening Ceremony, and then flew right back out. They

could have done that as well. You'll never have this opportunity

again. I remember walking, it's the one moment when you realise, I'm an

Olympian, when you walk in the stadium and it's a home Games.

can see behind us, actually, that the Countdown is on. The ceremony

is not far away. And that is the Countdown to the magnificent Red

Arrows, who will be coming across Olympic Park. This will be the

moment that will really start the Opening Ceremony. The Red Arrows

have been making their journey around the country, the four

capitals and the nations of Great Britain, but this is their final

stop, to come here to get this Opening Ceremony under way.

Hopefully we'll get a glimpse of them soon. There they are. Look at

that, what a spectacular sight that is. They fly towards the stadium.

They're flying from east to west. So I can yell as loud as I want now

in 50 seconds and no-one will hear a word I'm say sning Quite possibly

John and that will probably be a GB colours, how about that?!

far away. They have been such an iconic sight around the nation. The

crowd now beginning to cheer. They've been told that the Red

Arrows are not far away, just Arrows are not far away, just

metres away. Faster even than Usain Bolt. Looking overhead here, I'm

waiting to see them Sue. There's that we've heard here in the

stadium. There will be many, many more to come here tonight. They

hoed off west into the sun set and their way home. They've travelled

all around the country, this, their last destination. Is it really

seven years ago that this all The Games of the 30th Olympian in

2012 are awarded to the City of The City that welcomes the world

with open arms but also with an open mind. The handover is complete,

London's vision of inspiration and legacy, to inspire young people to

choose sport wherever they live, whatever they do, whatever they

Looking at those pictures, you mentioned your first Olympics, I

know you're heavily involved with the tennis. What are you looking

forward to? Would love to be at the 100m and 200 m final. That is THE

race. I did a race for the Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps rivalry.

I'm scieked for that. And I'm a bicycling fan. I'm excited for that

to get going. I know Great Britain looks promising there. Of course,

tennis, you know I'm only doing probably one match and I'm hoping

that in this case a guy by the name of Andy Murray is able, after

Wimbledon, that he can win the gold. Let's hope so. John great to see

you. Thanks for having me. recent Olympic Games Britannia has

ruled the waves. With four golds won in Beijing, this year's sailors

have much to live up to. They've been introduced to the crowd in

Weymouth, which is the only venue where there is no seating. That's

my dad fact of the night. It's the only one we're going to allow you.

Those are the scenes there. The sailing team being introduced on

the stage. The star is Ben Ainsworth. Can he strike gold for a

Welcome to Weymouth. It is a beautiful evening here. Even you

must be blown away by the number of people who have turned out here to

cheer you on your way. Yes, it is great, such a great atmosphere, for

our home Olympics. To see so many people here are supporting us in

Weymouth and Portland, and of course, up in London, on a

beautiful English summer evening, it is fantastic. You were the very

first person to carry the torch on British soil, and I know you got

emotional about it, because you believe the Olympics is not just

about the athletes, it is a celebration for absolutely

everyone? That's right. The great thing about the torch was that it

went all round the country, it was a chance for everyone to get

involved. Certainly, the Olympics is about the youngsters, the young

people coming through. Hopefully, this Games will inspire future

generations to come into sport, and from what I can see, it has already

started. We know you're going for gold, the entire nation is behind

you, but what would it mean to do it here in home waters, surrounded

by all these people who have helped you on your amazing 16-year

journey? It is hard to describe what it would mean for any of us,

competing on home waters, in the sailing. It is so special, such an

incredible opportunity. Also, it is a huge responsibility to perform

when it counts. We hope we can do everyone proud. On behalf of the

entire nation, may you have the most fabulous of fortnights. We

hope you can do it. The party will continue here in Weymouth, and it

really feels as if we are so lucky to be part of something which is

going to be so very, very special. And it is not any special in

Weymouth, it is very special here Weymouth, it is very special here

in east London as well. It is starting to fill up nicely, but

they are about to do so rehearsals, so we had better not show you any

more for now. With us now, two men who know how it feels to fight for

who know how it feels to fight for an Olympic medal, and to be

successful. Lennox Lewis won gold for Canada in 1988, and Amir Khan

was a sensation in 1994, winning a silver medal. -- in 2004. But you

have let the American boxers training your gym?! They came to

look at our facilities, and they said they needed somewhere to train.

Bolton is a long way from London, about 300 miles away, but I said,

if you want to come and train here, boxing is a team sport, we are a

family. They were in the gym, very dedicated, and to be honest, they

did not want to go out. Lennox Lewis, you have got so many

highlights from your career, so how does that gold-medal compare?

definitely compares with one of the goals which I wanted to achieve.

There is nothing like winning a gold medal at the Olympics. Nothing

really compares to it, maybe a world heavyweight championship, but

once you have won the Olympic medal, it is like you have completed a

goal. Mohamed Ali was my hero, and the fact that she had one, I wanted

to get one as well. Athens was amazing for you, what is your

stand-out memory? It totally changed my life. Winning that

silver medal, when I came back to England, I was treated like I had

won the gold medal. Everybody knew who Amir Khan was. It is like

changing, and I have been speaking to a cup of the athletes in the

boxing team, and I told them, trained hard and do not give up,

because this is like changing. If you win a medal, it can change your

life. All the boxing this time around in London is going to be

taking place at the ExCel Arena, which is in east London, very near

the Olympic Park, so let's just take you to show you what it looks

take you to show you what it looks like. It has a capacity of 10,000.

It is also going to be the home of other sports, including fencing and

judo. But British boxing has come a long way in recent years. There are

seven men and three women in the squad. Women boxers are competing

in the Olympics for the very first time. Here's what you can expect

Team GB boxing is in rude health, and ready to take on the world. Of

the 10 athletes representing their country, seven are ranked in the

top three in the world. They have come a long way since Athens 2004,

when Amir Khan came away with silver. He was Britain's only

representative in the ring. The performance director has said he

wants a minimum of three medals in 2012. Hoping to stand on top of the

medal podium will be the team medal podium will be the team

captain, Tom Stalker, ranked world number one at light-welterweight.

It is all about the draw, you do need a bit of luck on your side.

For me to win a gold medal, I have got to win five fights, basically.

That's what I am thinking about when I go to bed every night, could

see the whole of work that I have put in over the years. It is

something you dedicate your life to, and you get the rewards. I have

never wanted anything as bad as I want this. That is why I will be

giving 110% when I fight. Another hopeful is super-heavyweight

Anthony Joshua. I have just got to keep it low key, and hopefully get

the job done. We are not doing it for ourselves, we keep doing it for

the country. It is another day in The Office, going out to defeat the

opponent. It is nothing to get excited about. I know there is

going to be an amazing atmosphere and an amazing crowd, when they

seek two 20 stone guys walking in, the crowd will get excited. But I

have got to keep my head on my shoulders and stick to my game plan.

At the end of the day, as long as good at winning, that's what

matters. Andrew Selby, the flyweight, last year became the

first Welshman to win gold at the European Championships in 86 years.

Let them come forward, and I will pick punches. My style of boxing is

just hit and move. London 2012 will see Women's boxing making its

Olympic debut. Natasha Jonas won Brawns in the recent World

Championships, and is under no illusions about the task ahead.

London is massive for me as an athlete, being the first women to

compete there in our sport. We are pioneers. But boxing is boxing,

whether you're a man or woman. great teams comes a heavy

expectation, but Britain's boxers could be now up there with the best

of them. Times have really changed, because we have got 10 boxers in

the squad, whereas in Athens, it was just you! Yes, it shows how

much boxing has come on. We have got some great fighters in the Team

GB camp. I really think this could be one of the best Olympics we have,

especially in boxing. It is not just the fact that we have got more

boxers competing, it is that for the first time ever in the Olympic

Games, women will be competing. What are your thoughts? I think it

is great. It is exciting times. When men are out there boxing, I'm

sure a lot of women will be saying, I can beat them. Now, they will

have the opportunity to go and compete. I always thought Mohamed

Ali's daughter was very good. She led the way for women boxing. I'm

sure there's a lot of women who will want to follow in her

footsteps. Of course, and we must mention Anthony Joshua, he came out

of nowhere to win silver in the World Championships - can he turn

that into gold here at the Games? We are hoping for great things from

Anthony Joshua. I think he is going to do well. He just has to relax

and do what he does best. He has got a magnificent physique. He has

got a really strong punch as well. So, we're hoping that he will come

through with a gold medal. Amir Khan, any particular ones to look

out for for you? Tom Stalker is one of the best in the world, I think

he can win a medal. We have got some good fighters, they just have

to stay calm. It is a big occasion. Going to a World Championships and

European championships, it is amazing, but the Olympics is

something else. There's a lot of pressure on these fighters. Behind

us is the Olympic village, if there are any boxers who have decided not

to come down tonight, surely, your watch is all the inspiration they

need! I hope so! Winning a medal will totally changed her life

around. It has changed my life in a big way. I turned professional and

everything. It was a great platform for me. Life-changing for you as

well, the next? Absolutely. Stepping into the ring, everybody

is looking at you, they do not know if you're going to win or not. And

then all of a sudden, you win the fight, you come out of the ring,

and everybody wants to take your picture, everybody wants your

autograph, it is night and day. Thank you very much for joining us.

You will be commentating on Radio 5 Live for the duration. Thank you

very much, guys. Now, to some more potential winners, some people that

Every early morning, three miles. Every twist and turn, every kick.

Every sprint for the line. One Rehearsals are still going on in

the stadium. But I can tell you, the umbrellas are up as well, it

has just started to rain! We have got the clouds out, and now we have

got the rain. We have got animals everywhere. There is a strange bit

of countryside activity going on about there. One of the best-kept

secrets is who's going to light the flame. It is not going to be that

scarecrow, is it? The second best secret is how it will make its way

from City Hall to the stadium tonight. The torch has made its way

the length and breadth of Britain, passing within 10 miles of all of

you at home. Touch down in the UK - final destination, London, but only

after 8,000 miles, 70 days, with 8,000 torchbearers. As the relay

begins, the message goes from runner to run a - this is your

moment to shine. It has been really emotional, I am going to start

crying. I am not really anybody, and people are cheering me on, it

is ridiculous! I was in Wonderland. Throughout Britain, the sight of

the torch touched millions. It was carried by famous names, and by

people simply nominated by family and friends, each with a story to

tell. The guys have come down to support him, he means a lot to the

regiment. They gave me my date, and I was due to give birth, but I said

a little prayer! You have got two choices in life - sit and do

nothing, or get up and live your life exactly as you did before,

which is exactly what I do. Olympic spirit swept through the

nation, and the public turned out in force to cheer on their loved

ones, or just to see the world's most famous flame. A little bit

emotional, it is just extraordinary. The experience of a lifetime.

does not bother us, we have done that, got the T-shirt. It is only a

bit of water. A little bit wet, but totally worth it. Each day brought

a new story, a new memory to cherish, a new beginning. I cannot

believe how sneaky he was to do that! I do not want to let anybody

down, you know. And so to the last stage of the torch relay, the last

of the 8,000 runners, the last few steps of the 8,000 miles. This is

the host city, but if the past 70 days have shown one thing, it is

that the spirit of the Olympics reaches way beyond London to the

for corners of the United Kingdom. Through rain, and more rain, the

message was never forgotten - this Wonderful im ages. I was in south-

west London and watched the torch. I saw it in Sheffield and near my

home in North London. Got the kids out of bet early on their summer

holidays. It was strangely emotional. No-one really expected

it to be as successful as it has. But it was. You know what, they

weren't put off when it was raining and the torch game by. They will

not be put off this evening, stkpwiet the fact that the breaking

news here at the Olympic Park is that the heavens have opened and

below us there are thousands of people walking past going into the

stadium. You know what, we always come prepared. There they are, the

ponchos in just about every colour you can get them in. We knew that

clouds were always part of the Opening Ceremony in one way or

another. The real things are actually here now. We're going to

talk cycling next here in the studio. This is one of Britain's

big sports. With us now are Chris Boardman who won gold in 1992 and

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson who is not only talking about the road race

tomorrow but also Britain's most successful Paralympic athlete. The

torch relay, how was it for you? It's been amazing. I live in the

north-east of England. We went to a back road in Stockton an hour

before it came through and it was packed. We had to elbow our way to

the front. I think 14 million people have come to see it. That's

amazing. We didn't expect those kind of numbers. It grabbed

people's attention in the build up to the Games. Now cycling is

grabbing people's attention. We've heard John McEnroe say he is

looking forward to it. Steve Redgrave too. The sport is on a

high. It is an unprecedented time for us with success in the Tour De

France, Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins winning first time. This is

the strongest team we've ever fieldled for an Olympic Games.

inspiration from the man who won gold in 92. Yes I am responsible

for all this success! Course you are. The road race starts tomorrow.

As Chris told me earlier Mark Cavendish will be fine. After all

he's had six days rest since the Tour finished. After sufferinging

heart break four years ago, being the only track cyclist to leave

Beijing without a medal, tomorrow he will be inspired to make 2012

his year. Can you believe that the biggest

name in cycling, you're the winning of the Tour De France? I am

officially bigger than Cavendish? big part of sprinting is confidence.

He's got bucket loads of it. COMMENTATOR: Cavendish takes

victory and it's sweet. He's an all or nothing kind of guy. That's key.

It's something I strive to be. leads a race incredibly well.

Whereas you or I would see a mess of bodies everywhere, Mark just

sees gaps. His genius is his ability to stay completely rational.

It's the most hectic and uncontrollable moment in cycling.

People forget they see the last 500 metres of a stage and you have to

ride for five hours before that and to unleash the sprint at the end.

People ask who would win between us two, I wouldn't even be at the

finish. COMMENTATOR: Mark Cavendish wins

for the fourth year running. I know I have to do, make the calculations,

the decisions in an instant, it's close to instinct as you can get

from learning to ride a bike. Somehow he sees everything

happening in slow motion. He sees things happen that others aren't

seeing. He's making decision that's other people are panicking about.

He's the only guy in the ruck us that isn't losing his cool. But

when he finishes the -- crossings - - crosses the finishing line, it

all comes out. It's a big honour to represent my country, to ride as a

team, doing it for that honour, for the country, not for a commercial

wage, it's a big, big thing. To us he's just Mark, you know. Even the

last few days, you can see he's getting excited and he's

approaching the thing he's been looking at for the last 12 months.

We are almost trying to calm him down all the time. He's going

through the full spectrum. He makes himself angry, nervous, confident.

He can be practising a victory salute one moment to being

terrified the next. That's just him. He's a wonderful personality.

super excited. He's getting his shoes ready, his glasses ready.

He's ready to go. He's as fit as I've ever seen him. He was

complaining on the road that we were going too hard and smashing

his head in. We said this is your fault, you asked for us to be here.

We're here to dot job for you. have four Tour De France stage

winners in the team, guys who really want to do this. We were

training today and it was just like, oh, my God, this is a dream team.

It's a big thing to have, guys who can win in their own right,

dedicate themselves to a cause and you know, I can't let my team down,

that's it. That's the biggest thing. What a talent. Remember, he has

unfinished Olympic business. A simple tweet from him tonight

saying "I am nervous." I think he's talking about tomorrow, not tonight.

But it is one of the highlights of tomorrow morning, first day of

sporting action, we'll be talking about it here on BBC within. Of

course he's known as a fantastic sprint cyclist, we saw that in the

Tour De France. This is a long course, though. I think everyone's

been talking about him potentially winning it for a long time. It will

be interesting, how many people going up against him, what they do,

whether they try to break him early on. People who haven't been exposed

to cycling and watch the Tour will be fascinated by the team and the

whole do or die that their job is to get him to the finish line first.

We cycled the road racecourse today, we just went up, that was fine for

us. We didn't go down. As far as Cav is concerned, he has trained to

take on box hill nine times and still be in the count for the

sprint at the end. He's ridden the course a lot. He has lost a little

bit of weight. He took the edge off his speed in the first week of the

Tour De France. I think the climb is not his problem. It's his

reputation. There's a lot of good riders out there. It will be a

really attacking race. He has the whole team behind him, the best

they've ever had. There are only four guys. You can't control the

race. The team strength is there. They're very strong and they will

ride for him. It will be fascinating. They have a lot of

experience. David Miller will be captain on the road and calling the

shots. No race radios this time around. Enjoy being there tomorrow

soaking up the atmosphere. Chris comentaits on the race as it

unfolds. Thank you both. The Opening Ceremony is now about 20

minutes away. For the final time, Gary and Sue, back to you in the

stadium. I imagine the atmosphere is something quite special.

It certainly is. It is fantastic here. And I think it's stopped

raining. The brollies have gone down. That's great news. Danny

Boyle has been out and asked it to stop. That's how good the

organisation is. Just 20 minutes away, the start of the greatest

show on earth. That's only the appetiser, of course, for 16 days

of the very best of the sport, which you can enjoy in all sorts of

different ways on the BBC. The BBC is covering the 2012

Olympics like never before. Whether it's on TV, online, on the radio or

through your mobile. We'll make sure you never miss a moment of

these historic Games. On BBC One, we'll broadcast from breakfast

right through until 1am. BBC Three will show live action,

uninterrupted from 9am to 11pm. We'll be showing more sports on the

red button, just click to see what's available. The BBC website

will cover up to 24 live streams of every event. Go to bbc.co.uk/sport

to see our new interactive sport player. We'll have every session of

every sport, every day live. On the website you'll find a page for

every athlete, sport, venue and country, as well as all the news as

it happens. If you're on the move, access the latest news through our

new Olympic app or on the BBC mobile website. You can listen to

the live coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Olympics

extra, the new Olympic station. you've got a 3-D TV and you want to

see the Games in 3-D, you can. We broadcast daily highlights on the

HD channel and live coverage of the ceremonies and 100 metres final.

London 2012 on the BBC. We've got the Olympic Games covered.

There's only one thing to watch right now, the Opening Ceremony not

far away. We heard a short time ago from Mark Cavendish. He'll be

hoping to get the team off to a flying start with a Gold Medal on

the opening day. As far as rowing is concerned, there is one athlete

who is desperate to get her hands on an Olympic gold medal. Katherine

Grainger has competed in three Games and won three silver medals.

Surely this time it will be gold. There's nothing like an Olympic

final. Great Britain currently in bronze position. Girls, don't give

up on that sex offender. Glrb on We got it.

Great Britain must go now. 75 metres remain. Let's go Great

Britain. Up and give it everything! They take the silver medal.

Katherine Grainger adds another silver medal to her collection.

This has got to be gold for Katherine Grainger. Great Britain

there now easing out to half a length. China is coming. They have

to move. And the Chinese have unleashed an

incredible amount of speed. It is China for the Gold Medal. Utter,

utter disappointment for Great Britain and also for Katherine

Grainger. Silver again for Katherine Grainger.

Emotional scenes. What do you think? She's rowing in a double

with Anna watt kins. They're unbeaten. They're in good form.

They're in relaxed mood. I think it's time. The nation will be

rooting for her. Generally in rowing, we'll do well, won't we?

Very well. We had a very good World Championships last year. We had ten

medals in the Olympic event. Certainly medal chances in almost

every event. We have four days of finals and Gold Medal chances on

every one of those days. Do you miss it? Do you feel like, here in

this country, you'd like to be part of it? There's part of me that

would like to be part of it. There's a lot of me that will not.

I can imagine! The pre-show is continuing and singing live right

now is Frank Turner, a regular on the festival scene and a particular

favourite of the show's artistic boss, Danny Boyle. He's on

Glastonbury Tor there, in the fields transformed into the British

countryside. This song's called I Still Believe.

# Hey, friends and Romans, countrymen, hey, hey, punks and

skins and journeymen # Hey, hey my sisters and my

brethren, the time is coming near # Come, yeah,

# Come yeah, to the sound, is ringing clear, now who'd have

thought that after all something as simple and rock'n'roll would save

us all? # Who'd have thought that after all

it was rock'n'roll # Hey, hey, now anybody could take

this stage. # Think miracles on minimum wage

# The songs through the modern age # Right here, right now

# Who'd have thought that after all # It was rock'n'roll

# I still believe in the saints in Gerry Lee and Johnny and the greats.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

# I still believe. # Now who'd have thought that after

all. # Something as simple as rock all. # Something as simple as rock

'n' roll would save us all. # Now who'd have thought that after all.

# Something so simple, something so small.

# Who would have thought? # That after all.

# It's rock'n'roll. But # thank you And don't forget, this is just a

warm-up, the Opening Ceremony is not yet begun. We are getting close,

though. Andrew Marr now charts the proud history of this magnificent

city. city.

Back at the turn of the last century, the founder of the modern

Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin, came up with the five rings to represent

the five continents competing together. He said, in the Olympic

Games, the most important thing is not to win, but to take part, just

as in life, the most important thing is not the triumph but the

struggle. This, you might think, is a bit defeatist, particularly for a

Frenchman. On the other hand, the Games was all about people pouring

in from all parts of the world, and all about resilience, so it is not

a bad fit, you might think, for the City of London. After all, this is

a city which has faced disaster many times in the past. Roman

London was virtually wiped out by rebel British tribes, and the city

lost around a fifth of its population in the Great plague of

1665, and then had its heart burned out in the Great Fire one year

later. Then was the Blitz, which knocked much of London to pieces.

The aerial bombardment was not just supposed to destroy buildings and

the transport system, but actually to strangle the optimism of the

people. NEWSREEL: there are no words to

describe what is happening in London these days. In 1940, the

tunnels of the Underground, which today are the rather clogged

arteries supporting working life in London, would protect life itself.

There was no government planned to start with, but eventually, 150,000

Londoners would be sleeping on station platforms as the bombing

went on overhead. Huge numbers of people were killed, but life also

went on, despite 57 consecutive nights of air raids. Some of the

scars are still visible, some of which is due to the cheaper

rebuilding in the decades after the war. Just three years after the war

ended, in 1948, London hosted the first Olympics since the infamous

Berlin Games. The international Games of the 14

for modern Olympiad began at Wembley... The chairman of the

Organising Committee said that London represented a warm flame of

hope for better understanding in the world, which has burnt so low.

We may think that we have got things hard today, with austerity

and all that. We know nothing. 1948 was the real austerity Olympics.

Britain's economy was on its knees. There were no new venues, no

village for athletes. Their rations were limited to 5467 calories a day,

the same as for dockers and miners, which was really quite generous.

Anyone else was restricted to half that. As for all the freebies, well,

there was free Bovril and bring your own towel. Building an Olympic

village? No, that was considered to be far too expensive, so the

athletes were housed in RAF camps in Uxbridge, west Drayton and

Diversity. Female competitors had rather basic rooms in London

colleges. Legacy? Well, the real achievement was holding the Games

at all. London had held the Olympics before, in 19 a late,

Games which were most famous for the gallant attempt of this Italian

to finish the Marathon he was leading. But he was helped in the

final phases and was disqualified. But he was given a special, gilded,

Silver Cup, presented by Queen Alexandra the next day. Now, more

than a century later, London is to hold the Games for a record third

time. The morning after the award had been announced, when there was

a wonderful bubble of euphoria, and expectation was at fever pitch,

London's commuters were targeted by Al-Qaeda terrorists. Four suicide

bombers detonated devices on free Tube trains and a bus. 52 innocent

people were killed. Once again, rather than dwelling on this

savagery, Londoners managed to absorb the blow, and keep going. So,

why is London sometimes a target? These days, because it is a world

city, as near as we have to a genuine global village, one of the

most diverse places on the planet, with more than 300 language groups

and huge overseas populations. Five rings for five continents -

certainly, people from all five continents are bouncing and rolling

around the streets of London every day of the year. This is not an

easy place, it is always crowned, fast and changing, and often raw,

as the summer riots last year reminded us. But London's response

to that low point was, thank goodness, predictable - get back to

work, get on with it. Because London understands, as Pierre de

Coubertin nearly said, that you get absolutely no way in life without a

bitter struggle. These are the sites in London, as

darkness descends upon us, which is the reason why the Olympics

ceremony is due to start at 9 o'clock. Danny Boyle wanted it to

be dark to show the stadium off to full effect. The austerity Games,

back in 1948. We have been sent in a programme from those Games. What

about that? If anyone has got one from 1908, we would like one of

those as well! That was your first gold, wasn't it, Steve? A little

bit before that, I took a year off. Steve, everyone's so proud to have

the Games back in London. Everybody must be proud to see how the venues

have come together. Certainly. In Beijing, they had stunning venues,

and everybody thought, there is no way we will be able to match that,

but I think we have. Mark Spitz came to look at the Aquatics Centre,

and he was absolutely blown away with it, and so was I. I was in the

board meetings, when they were sketching a round, regarding what

the venues might look at. But it is all about the use afterwards.

Michael, are we ready to host the Games? Tap do so, despite what Mitt

Romney says. And he is not our president, just a guy trying to

become president. No, I think so. I have seen the work that has been

done, and I think absolutely. The IOC got it right when they said,

this is the most prepared team they have ever seen. Steve, are you

staying with us? You have got a telephone! Anyway, the waiting is

almost over. There are other ways almost over. There are other ways

to watch. For the first time ever, there's live? In 3D, which has just

got under way on the HD Channel. Also, for viewers who are blind or

partially sighted, will offering audio description via the red

button. Finally, a warning that the ceremony will include flashing

images and fireworks - you would not expect anything else. It is

going to be special. Our, NATO's for the Opening Ceremony are Trevor

Nelson, Hazel Irvine and Huw 80 young musicians joining together

to perform Nimrod by Edward Elgar, starting with a celebration of

Britain's maritime tradition. The world is waiting to see what London

has to offer. The journey is almost complete, the moment has arrived,

the Opening Ceremony will take us through the great revolutions in

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

MUSIC: "Nimrod" from Enigma Stand by for a few surprises along

the way. We will be making our way from the Industrial Revolution,

which changed Britain and the world, to the full-blown digital