(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) TEN thousand of the world's best athletes, a stadium packed with 80,000 people - and more than a billion across the globe watching the spectacle live on TV - Queen Elizabeth at the opening ceremony along with a host of celebrities, besides a dozen horses, three cows, 70 sheep, two goats, 10 chickens, 10 ducks, nine geese and three sheep dogs.
The opening ceremony of London Olympics on July 27 promises to be an exciting mix reflecting the "green and pleasant land" â€" or the "Isles of Wonder" as film-maker Danny Boyle, who is the director for the £27 million opening extravaganza for the summer Olympics has titled the event â€" and the bucolic lifestyle in the host nation, besides modern and contemporary issues as well. A 'history parade' will focus on several movements and issues, even taking on the uglier side of life in Britain.
Of course, like all mega global events, the summer Olympics has its fair share of controversies. Animal rights activists have criticised Boyle for planning to use live animals during the three-hour opening ceremony, and have instead asked him to deploy "truly dazzling state-of-the-art animatronics."
Local residents and peace activists have objected to the UK government's plans to deploy surface-to-air defence systems at half a dozen sites in and around London during the Olympic Games. The government claims the anti-aircraft missile system is part of a multi-layered, air security plan aimed at countering possible terrorist attacks on the city during the Olympics from the air.
Some London residents also fear a recrudescence of the senseless violence unleashed by unemployed youth in British cities last summer. Many of the policemen who were involved in tackling the violence last year told a study conducted by The Guardian and the London School of Economics that there could be a repeat of the violence.
But despite the controversies and the likely glitches, the London Olympic games, dubbed 'Inspire a Generation' will surely see some of the finest sportswomen and men excel in their respective fields. One of the world's greatest swimmers, Michael Phelps - who has won 14 Olympics gold medals, including eight he won in Beijing - is participating in only seven events this time. He is also being challenged by his compatriot Ryan Lochte.
Similarly, the 'world's fastest man,' Usain Bolt, is aiming to win the 100 metres gold with another record-breaking time, but his Jamaican compatriot Yohan Blake will literally be at his heels, aiming for a major upset. Blake beat Bolt is the 100 m and 200 m Olympic trials in Jamaica recently.
Sir Paul McCartney, the ex-Beatles legend, is expected to perform one of the group's greatest hits, Hey Jude, at the closing ceremony. "And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude," the song went, "refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders; for well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool, by making his world a little colder." An apt song for one of the most competitive events in human history.
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