Dancers with light bars perform during the the opening ceremony. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A spire of torches burns in the center of Olympic Stadium as the official flame is lit to begin the London 2012 Olympics. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A performer is encased in a translucent ball during the opening ceremonies. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Two-time Olympic champion fencer Mariel Zagunis holds the American flag as members of the United States Olympic team participate in the opening ceremonies of London 2012. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A segment on rock music is part of the festivities at Olympic Stadium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Team USA members ham it up for their cameras as they enter Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Paul McCartney vamps on stage as he performs “Hey Jude” to close the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics at Olympic Park. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Fireworks light up Olympic Stadium during during the opening ceremony of London 2012. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The Olympic rings are assembled above Olympic Stadium at the opening ceremony Friday. (Lars Baron / Getty Images)
The opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. (Paul Gilham / Getty Images)
Performers go through their paces during the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics. (Hannibal / EPA)
Actors (and fowl) perform during the opening ceremony Friday at the 2012 Summer Olympics, (Ivan Sekretarev / Associated Press)
Performers spread out on the field of Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony Friday. (Morry Gash / Associated Press)
A fan shows her British pride at the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics at Olympic Stadium on Friday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
A fan holds a Mexican flag during opening ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics at Olympic Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Performers portray nurses during the opening ceremony of the London Olympics on Friday at Olympic Stadium. (Ian Langsdon / EPA)
A scene from the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Hannibal / EPA)
Taking part in the opening ceremony for the Olympics were the Chelsea Pensioners ¿ retirees from the British military. (Kerim Okten / EPA)
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, enjoy the atmosphere during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images)
A performer in the role of Queen Elizabeth II parachutes out of a helicopter hovering above the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony on Friday. (Lars Baron / Getty Images)
The colors of the Union Jack flag are highlighted Friday during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Kerim Okten / EPA)
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London Olympics on Friday. (Ian Langsdon / Getty Images)
The Olympic rings glow above the stadium in a scene depicting the Industrial Revolution during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on Friday. (Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images)
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday in London. (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)
Dancers are seen in silhouette as they perform during the opening ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics on Friday. (David Goldman / Associated Press)
An overview of Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Games in London on Friday. (Ettore Ferrari / EPA)
Performers hold illuminated rods during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday. (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)
The opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. (Chris McGrath / Getty Images)
Olympic Stadium glows blue and green during the opening ceremony on Friday. (Ivan Sekretarev / Associated Press)
