ISLAMABAD - The British High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson visited the Islamabad Press Club on Thursday to brief journalists on the opening of London 2012 Olympic Games, which commences today (Friday) with the grand opening ceremony at 9:30pm British time (1:30 am PST) early Saturday.
While speaking at the occasion Adam said it was expected that about one billion people would be watching the opening ceremony across the globe, with 62,000 people watching the ceremony live in the stadium in Stratford, East London and will experience Olympic arena turned into a traditional view of the British countryside, including live farmyard animals. He further said, the anticipation has been building as teams from all over the globe have arrived in the UK and moved into the Athletes' Village ready for their final preparations.
Speaking to the journalists, the British High Commissioner Adam Thomson said: "As the Olympic torch makes it way to the stadium for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games, hundreds of thousands of people across Britain will be sharing in the tremendous excitement felt here in Pakistan and all around the world. The moment is finally here when the Games will begin. And our whole country is ready to welcome the world and invite you to join in the celebrations.
"I wish the Pakistani Olympic and Paralympic teams the very best of luck as they proudly represent their nation at the London 2012 Games. The Pakistan hockey team has been drawn in the same group as the British team for the preliminary round of the Olympic hockey tournament and we all look forward to watching our athletes parade onto the field, and ready themselves for the best performances of their lives. The athletes are the centrepieces of the Games and our focus has been on building the best possible stage on which they can shine, it will be wonderful to watch UK, Pakistani and other world nations set world records and bring home gold medals.”
"This year the Olympics falls within Ramazan, for the more than 3,000 Muslim athletes competing at the Olympics this will be a once in a lifetime chance to compete with the same discipline, focus and commitment required of them in their holiest month. We welcome them and the countless thousands of Muslims, here and abroad, who would be enjoying the Games at this very special time.