Olympics underway after Great British show

(CNS): London 2012 opened on Friday night with a spectacular pageant which included the ‘queen’ being parachuted from James Bond’s helicopter in a glittering display of Britain’s history and popular culture by Danny Boyle. It culminated in a circle of flaming torches creating the 60ft high Olympic flame. Five-time gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave, 50, carried the flame into the stadium after being handed it by young footballer Jade Bailey, who had received it from David Beckham.  Sir Steve carried it through a guard of honour of 500 construction workers who helped build the stadium. He then passed it to the young torchbearers. (Photos by Ron Shillingworth)

They were then joined by seven British Olympic heroes – long jumper Lynn Davies, 70, swimmer Duncan Goodhew, 55, Dame Kelly Holmes, 42, Dame Mary Peters, 73, sailor Shirley Robertson, 44, Daley Thompson, 53, and Redgrave. Muhammad Ali, was also among the flag-bearers as Sir Paul McCartney sang the event home before seven young athletes nominated by Britain's greatest Olympians lit the cauldron.

Athletes are competing in 19 sports Saturday with medals also due to be awarded in archery, fencing, judo, swimming and weightlifting.

Cayman’s athletes begin their Olympic bid tomorrow in the aquatic centre with both Shaune and Brett Fraser competing in the men’s 200m Freestyle Heats & Semi-Finals. Track athletes Ronald Forbes, Cydonie Mothersill and Kemar Hyman will be competing next weekend.