Pop stars, choirs, dancing policemen and a boisterous singalong to “We Are the Champions.” After the orderly precision of the Beijing Olympics, organizers gave the world a first look Sunday at what they hope will be the fun of London 2012.
About 40,000 flag-waving people gathered in front of Buckingham Palace for a party to celebrate the hand over from Beijing, as the British capital got its first chance to show what it hopes will be a quirky, personal and fun approach to the games.
As music played from a huge stage erected next to the ornate gates of Queen Elizabeth II’s official London residence, even the police indulged in a brief, embarrassed dance when invited to by the master of ceremonies—a sight difficult to imagine in China.
The spectacle was short of the scale and coordination that has wowed athletes, officials and fans alike in Beijing over the past two weeks. But in terms of conveying what London has to offer to visitors when the Olympics arrive, the show did its job. Even the summer weather lived up to its reputation, providing warm sunshine and cooling showers in equal measure.
“Every city has had its big twist on the games, what they have that’s different to every other county,” said swimming star Michael Phelps, who was at the London show. “The Olympic movement is about bringing the world together. I’m not sure what that difference will be but I’m looking forward to seeing what it is and how this city develops.”
While big screens showed Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and football star David Beckham live at the official ceremony in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium, less internationally recognized names such as operatic quartet Il Divo, boyband McFly and Will Young—the first winner of Britain’s Pop Idol TV show—took to the stage in central London.
British cyclist Bradley Wiggins, who won two gold medals in Beijing, said Britain’s surprising fourth-place finish in the medal table helped contribute to a party atmosphere.
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