It's Showtime - Fierce battles expected as London Games open

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

LONDON, England

A life-sized classic English cottage with smoking chimney, rolling hills and a watermill - and, oh, not to mention a number of sheep, cows and goats and a game of cricket.

London's Olympic Stadium was an ever-changing landscape, each telling another story.

Rowan 'Mr Bean' Atkinson was up to his usual antics. Daniel Craig (best known for his James Bond roles) and Queen Elizabeth parachuted into the Olympic Park - well, sort of - as a bit of movie magic handed The Queen her big-screen debut.

J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, read from Peter Pan, while Beatles legend Paul McCartney brought down the house to a spark of colourful fireworks and smiling spectators and athletes. London outdid itself.

London welcomed the world in fine style last night, and as soon as Her Majesty had declared the Games open, it already was being discussed as one the best Olympic Games opening ceremonies ever.

The early setting - a traditional British meadow with farmers tilling the soil and sports being played along the greens - started an emotionally convincing yet wittingly ingenious three and a half hours of celebration of Britain's history, people and culture.

London's Olympic Stadium will, over the next few days, host some of the world's fiercest track and field competitors, but last night, over 80,000 people packed the venue to witness the creation of noted British film director Danny Boyle.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge praised England's influence on the modernisation of sport and said the Olympics is heading home, considering that London is now the only city to host the Games three times.

"In a sense, the Olympic Games are coming home," Rogge said. "This great sport-loving country is widely recognised as the birthplace of modern sport. It was here that the concept of sportsmanship and fair play were first codified into clear rules and regulations."

An early sprinkling of shower did little to dampen the spirit of the vibrant crowd. After all, it just wouldn't be a true London opening ceremony if there wasn't some rain.