The countdown to the start of the opening ceremony is projected across the stands while the Royal Air Force aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, flies over the Olympic Stadium. The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games was held on Friday, July 27. Check out photos from the<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/12/world/gallery/olympic-closing-ceremony/index.html" target="_blank"> closing ceremony.</a>
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
The countdown to the start of the opening ceremony is projected across the stands while the Royal Air Force aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, flies over the Olympic Stadium. The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games was held on Friday, July 27. Check out photos from the closing ceremony.
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Spectators take shelter under umbrellas prior to the start of the opening ceremony.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Spectators take shelter under umbrellas prior to the start of the opening ceremony.
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A man wearing glasses waits for the start of the opening ceremony.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
A man wearing glasses waits for the start of the opening ceremony.
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A balloon flies over spectators prior to the opening ceremony.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
A balloon flies over spectators prior to the opening ceremony.
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Spectators wait under the rain before the ceremony.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Spectators wait under the rain before the ceremony.
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The Red Arrows fly over Olympic Stadium before the opening ceremony.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
The Red Arrows fly over Olympic Stadium before the opening ceremony.
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A robotic camera captures an overview of the Olympic Stadium at the start of the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
A robotic camera captures an overview of the Olympic Stadium at the start of the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.
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Performers prepare for the opening ceremony.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Performers prepare for the opening ceremony.
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The Red Arrows fly over the Olympic Stadium and the ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
The Red Arrows fly over the Olympic Stadium and the ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower.
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Danny Boyle, the London 2012 artistic director, addresses the audience.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Danny Boyle, the London 2012 artistic director, addresses the audience.
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The Red Arrows disappear over London ahead of the opening ceremony.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
The Red Arrows disappear over London ahead of the opening ceremony.
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Bradley Wiggins, the first British winner of the Tour De France cycle race, waves to the audience.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Bradley Wiggins, the first British winner of the Tour De France cycle race, waves to the audience.
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A young performer holds a balloon bearing the Olympic rings.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
A young performer holds a balloon bearing the Olympic rings.
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A young performer holds a balloon.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
A young performer holds a balloon.
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Artists take the field for the meadow scene.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Artists take the field for the meadow scene.
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Artists arrive before the start of the opening ceremony.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Artists arrive before the start of the opening ceremony.
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Fans take photos as cows are lead across the stadium floor.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Fans take photos as cows are lead across the stadium floor.
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Artists arrive in a horse and carriage.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Artists arrive in a horse and carriage.
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Actors perform during the British meadow scene.
Olympics: Opening ceremony —
Actors perform during the British meadow scene.
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