Olympics 2012 Photos: Opening Ceremony & More
London kicked off the 2012 Olympics with a lavish ceremony featuring everyone from Will & Kate to Duran Duran and a flock of sheep. See photos.
London kicked off the 2012 Olympics with a lavish ceremony featuring everyone from Will & Kate to Paul Simon and a flock of sheep. See photos.
A general view of the inside of the stadium during the opening ceremonies.
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
Cricketers play cricket on the pitch during the preshow prior to the opening ceremonies.
Stu Forster / Getty Images
A shepherdess tends her flock during the opening ceremonies. Part of creative director Danny Boyle’s concept was to take a visual tour through British history and culture.
Michael Regan / Getty Images
Prince William and his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, await the start of the opening ceremonies.
Odd Anderson, AFP / Getty Images
Rings representing both the Olympics and the Industrial Revolution are lit.
Pool / Getty Images
Actors evoke the Industrial Revolution during the opening ceremonies.
Franck Fife, FAP / Getty Images
Performers depict a view of the English countryside during the opening ceremonies.
Quinn Rooney / Getty Images
London Mayor Boris Johnson and his wife, Marina Wheeler.
John Stillwell, AFP / Getty Images
Actors perform in a sequence meant to represent Britain's National Health Service.
Jae C. Hong / AP Photo
Artists strike a variety of English poses during the opening ceremonies.
John Macdougall, AFP / Getty Images
British Prime Minister David Cameron stands with his wife, Samantha, and Anne, Princess Royal, at the opening ceremonies.
Pool / Getty Images
Celebrators gather in London’s Trafalgar Square on opening day.
Feng Li / Getty Images
British singer Simon Le Bon and guitar player John Taylor, from the band Duran Duran, perform on stage in London’s Hyde Park to help kick off the Games.
Miguel Medina, AFP / Getty Images
A general view of the the set depicting the English countryside during the opening ceremonies.
Michael Regan / Getty Images
Spectators brave the rain prior the opening ceremonies.
Leon Neal, AFP / Getty Images
Lauren Jackson of the Australian Olympic basketball team carries her country’s flag as she leads the Australian team into the stadium.
Cameron Spencer
Artists perform during the opening ceremony.
Jewel Samad, AFP / Getty Images
Chris Hoy of the British Olympic cycling team carries his country’s flag during the opening ceremonies.
Quinn Rooney / Getty Images
People watch the opening ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games on a television in central London.
Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / GettyImages
Fireworks over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremonies.
Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Fireworks shown inside the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremonies.
Chris McGrath / Getty Images
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.