Shropshire teenager lights Olympic Cauldron
A sporting star from Telford was one of seven young athletes who were last honored with the task of lighting the Olympic Cauldron at the London Olympics, watched by a worldwide audience.
18-year-old, Aidan Reynolds, from Randlay in Telford, joined sailor Callum Airlie, young 2012 ambassador Jordan Duckitt, world 200m title holder Desiree Henry, 400m runner Katie Kirk, rower Cameron McRitchie, and 800m runner Adelle Tracey.
The former Thomas Telford School pupil who is a javelin thrower joined the other six who each lit a single tiny flame, igniting 205 copper 'petals', one for each competing nation or territory.
The torchbearers were nominated by a cavalcade of Britain’s past and present Olympic and sporting greats.
Long jumper Lynn Davies - who won Olympic gold in 1964 nominated Aidan, whilst others included Duncan Goodhew MBE, Dame Kelly Homes DBE MBE (Mil), Mary Peters DBE, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, Shirley Robertson and Daley Thompson.
The ceremony reflected the key themes and priorities of the London 2012 Games, based on sport, inspiration, youth and urban transformation.
LOCOG Chair, Seb Coe said: ‘The athletes competing at the Olympic Games have arrived in London to give the performances of their lives. We wanted to provide a very British welcome for them and the rest of the world. Danny Boyle has created a show of memories and moments that will last a lifetime for people across the UK and the world.’
The Opening Ceremony celebrated Britain's connections to the global community and culture, and included globally known British stars of song, stage, screen and sport such as Sir Paul McCartney who closed the Ceremony, David Beckham and Daniel Craig – who in his most recognised role as James Bond accompanied her Majesty the Queen in a mission to get to the Olympic Stadium.
Oscar winning British director Danny Boyle and his creative team took audiences gathered in the Olympic Stadium, at London 2012 Live Sites in towns and cities around the UK and more than a billion television viewers in villages and neighbourhoods around the world on a spectacular and emotional journey through British time, culture and society.
The theme of the Ceremony was ‘this is for everyone’, and celebrated contributions the UK has made to the world through innovation and revolution, as well as the creativity and exuberance of British people.
From the industrial to the digital revolution, the Ceremony celebrated how Britain has contributed to the world.
In one moving segment, the sell out audience joined as one in a minute’s silence, remembering fallen heroes who have died in conflicts across the world.
Using new pixel technology to create a light show within the stadium audience never been seen before, aerial choreography and 12,956 props, over 100 times more than a West End musical, the London 2012 Ceremonies Team transformed the Olympic Stadium into a series of historic, contemporary and modern settings that reflected the cultural changes and revolutions of British society.
Artistic Director of the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, Danny Boyle said: ‘Our show was really the volunteer’s show. If you want to judge us as an island, these people are the best of us, and we hope the feeling of the show was a celebration of their generosity.’
