London shines in splendour in spectacular opening ceremony

By M R Mishra London, Jul 28 (PTI) A dazzling display of 21st century technology, lights and fireworks combined with Britain of the old and a surprise first acting role for Queen Elizabeth alongwith ‘James Bond’ Daniel Craig marked the opening of the London Olympic Games early this morning. Billed as a celebration of the creativity and exuberance of the British, the opening ceremony although a bit too long at over 225 minutes, showcased the best of this country’s past, present and future. Watched by an estimated global TV audience of over three billion and nearly 80,000 spectators in the Olympic stadium, the highlight of the ceremony was the use of 70,799 audience pixels, the small panels with 9 LED pixels each were placed between the seats and controlled by a central computer to create amazing images and dramatically colourful effects. The Indian contingent, led by wrestler Sushil Kumar, was among the 204 participating nations that took part in the march past. The Indian athletes were greeted with a roar by the spectators as they entered the stadium. Directed by Danny Boyle, of the Oscar-winning ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ fame, the details of the opening ceremony had been kept under wraps although bits and pieces had leaked to the media. However, no one expected a short film which showed the Queen with British actor Daniel Craig, the latest of James Bond in Hollywood. Shot in Buckingham Palace, the film shows Craig being ushered before the Queen playing herself in her first acting role. She leaves with 007 in a helicopter which swoops over London. The spectacular lighting of the cauldron by seven young athletes was another breathtaking moment of the 27 million pound ceremony. More

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