The opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games has begun.
The show is kicking off with a film about the River Thames, followed by a countdown and the release of four balloons carrying the five Olympic rings to the edge of space.
The ringing of a giant bell made especially for the games ushers in what promises to be a quirky three-hour journey through British culture and history. Thousands of athletes were set to parade before 60,000 spectators, including Queen Elizabeth II and an A-list of global celebrities.
After Friday's extravaganza, it'll be time to officially "Let the games begin."
