Anticipation builds for the Olympics opening ceremony
The sun sets behind the Tower Bridge, hours before the the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games. (Martin Bernetti / AFP/Getty Images)
Revelers gather for the BT London Live Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert in Hyde Park in central London in the hours before the opening ceremony. (Miguel Medina / AFP/Getty Images)
A patriotic British fan roams Olympic Park before the opening ceremony. (Marius Becker / EPA)
A view from above Olympic Stadium hours before the opening ceremony. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP/Getty Images)
Scottish singer Paolo Nutini performs at the BT London Live Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert in Hyde Park. (Miguel Medina / AFP/Getty Images)
American fans show their colors before the opening ceremony at Olympic Stadium. (Michael Steele / Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth chats with First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Ambassador to Britain Louis Susman at a Buckingham Palace reception for heads of state and other visiting dignitaries before the opening ceremony. (Dominic Lipinski / AFP/Getty Images)
A woman arrives at Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony wearing a hand-decorated hat featuring the Olympic rings and a cyclist. (Franck Fife / AFP/Getty Images)
Kazakhstan supporters hold a pep rally before the opening ceremony at Olympic Stadium. (Michael Steele / Getty Images)
Excitement builds for fans of the Mexican Olympic team before the opening ceremony. (Hannibal / EPA)
A spectator sees the world through Union Jack glasses while waiting for the start of the opening ceremony at Olympic Stadium. (Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images)
A cast of thousands, including animals and actors, enters the stadium for the British meadow scene before the opening ceremony. (Franck Fife / AFP/Getty Images)