London 2012 gets underway in Royal Greenwich

Thousands of Olympic spectators have lapped up a first fantastic day of 2012 sporting action at the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s three Olympic Venues.

Thousands of people also packed the Royal Borough’s live sites – in Greenwich and Woolwich - to take in the incredible spectacle of the Opening Ceremony on the big screens.

Crowds have also been enjoying the festivities and culture running throughout the Games with a full schedule of events across the Royal Borough.

Greenwich Park, home to the London 2012 Equestrian events, has seen thousands of spectators enjoying the Individual and Team Eventing, with Team GB’s Mary King in third place after day one.

The Royal Artillery Barracks saw the very first medals of the Games awarded with Yi Siling of China winning Gold in the Women’s 10m air rifle.

A packed house at North Greenwich Arena witnessed a remarkable performance by Team GB in the qualifying rounds of the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics. They’re ranked number one going into the final – the first final appearance by the British Team in 87 years of the competition.

Leader of the Royal Borough Cllr Chris Roberts said, "It’s a fantastic moment to see the completion of a stunning day of sport at our three superb Olympic venues here in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Not only do the spectators get to see sporting history made, they can also enjoy so many fantastic activities and events around the Royal Borough. The Greenwich Summer Festival at the Old Royal Naval College is proving hugely popular as is our Live Site at the newly redeveloped General Gordon Square in Woolwich. Anyone coming to enjoy the 2012 events in the Royal Borough of Greenwich can take advantage of all of our local shops, markets, restaurants and bars. It’s also been great to see things running so smoothly now we have the first day under our belts – there’s such an air of excitement and delight now action is underway and I’m proud the Royal Borough of Greenwich is playing such a significant part"

Spectators leaving the three Royal Borough of Greenwich venues have been packing festival sites and enjoying more sporting and cultural action at the Borough’s big screens and live sites – at the ORNC in Greenwich and General Gordon Square in Woolwich.

For more information on events around the Royal Borough during the summer go to www.greenwich-2012.com

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These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

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