The Olympic flame makes a dramatic arrival in London on Friday to tour the capital before it plays a starring role in the opening ceremony in one week’s time. A Royal Marine commando will abseil from a helicopter with the torch, which will spend the night safely housed in the Tower of London, where the Queen Elizabeth II keeps her ceremonial jewels. The 8,000-mile (12,800-kilometre) relay culminates in the capital after snaking around Britain and visiting the Republic of Ireland. Its arrival will add to the anticipation building ahead of the Games. Snatched press photographs show that preparations for the opening ceremony next Friday are at an advanced stage, with the show orchestrated by “Slumdog Millionaire” director Danny Boyle featuring an idyllic English village.
