LONDON (AP) - Britain greeted the world Friday with an extravagant Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony that included Bond, a Beatle and a formal welcome from Queen Elizabeth.
London's seven-year countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games came to a crescendo with a stunning, imaginative, whimsical and dramatic celebration of the host country.
Fighter jets streaming red, white and blue smoke roared over the Olympic Stadium, packed with a buzzing crowd of 60,000 people, at 8:12 p.m.
An explosion of fireworks against the London skyline and Paul McCartney leading a singalong were to wrap up the three-hour show masterminded by one of Britain's most successful filmmakers, Oscar winner Danny Boyle.
Because of the time difference between England and the U.S., NBC is showing the ceremony on tape-delay (7:30 p.m. on KHQ-TV) to harness a prime time audience.
Several athletes from Washington are actively Tweeting from the games. Here are their Twitter handles:
Marti Malloy, Oak Harbor, Wash., Judo, @Martidamus
Travis Stevens, Tacoma, Wash., Judo, @judosilencer
Nathan Adrian, Bremerton Wash., Swimming @Nathangadrian
Tyler Farrar, Wenatchee, Wash., Cycling, Road @USACTrackSprint @usacycling
Amanda Furrer, Spokane, Wash., Shooting, @Amanda_Furrer
Ariana Kukors, Auburn, Wash., Swimming, 200m IM @ArianaKukors
Adrienne Martelli, University Place, Wash., Rowing, @HammerMartelli
Kara Patterson, Vancouver, Wash., Javelin Throw @karathrowsjav
Jennie Reed, Seattle, Cycling, Track @jenniejonesreee
Jarred Rome, Marysville, Wash., Discus Throw @JarredRome
Hope Solo, Richland, Wash., Soccer, Goalkeeper @hopesolo
Aretha Thurmond, Seattle, Discus Throw @ArethaThrows
Queen Underwood, Seattle, Boxing, Lightweight @QueenUnderwood
Eric Uptagrafft, Spokane, Wash., Shooting, 50m Rifle Prone @USAShootind @GlockHome
Brad Walker, Spokane, Wash., Pole Vault @SkyWalkerPV
Also follow @KHQLocalNews and @SWXRightNow for coverage of local athletes in London.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KHQ. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
