Queen Declares London Olympics Open
By AP
LONDON, ENGLAND - Friday night, Queen Elizabeth II declared the 2012 London Olympics open before tens of thousands of joyous fans.
As head of state, the 86-year-old British monarch has the honor of opening the games, which run through Aug. 12.
The queen was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge. Earlier, she appeared in a spoof film clip with "James Bond" star Daniel Craig. The segment, a highlight of Friday night's opening ceremony, culminated with stunt doubles of Craig and the queen leaping from a helicopter and parachuting into the stadium.
Although some sports, including soccer, had already started earlier in the week, the full slate of Olympic events kicks off today.