Searching for … the top 10 searches of the Opening Ceremony
We all know what buzzed loudest in the Olympic world Friday — the Opening Ceremony in London. But what parts of the Opening Ceremony attracted the most attention?
Yahoo! Sports compiled the top 10 searches over the past 12 hours with respect to the Opening Ceremony, and here are the results.
1. Who lit the Olympic Cauldron?
Who did light the Cauldron? Many people still aren't sure. After rumors that a number of former Olympians and even the queen would receive the honor — the cauldron was instead lit by seven young British athletes: Callum Airlie, Jordan Duckitt, Desiree Henry, Katie Kirk, Cameron MacRitchie, Aidan Reynolds and Adelle Tracey. A huge moment for those young athletes and their families, to be sure, but arguably an underwhelming culmination for everybody else.
2. Queen Elizabeth and James Bond
About a fourth of the way through the ceremony, a video featuring current James Bond Daniel Craig and Queen Elizabeth II herself debuted. It segued into a parachute stunt out of a helicopter. Stunt doubles filled in for Craig (not that he needs one) and the queen (who definitely needs one), and the queen and IOC President Jacques Rogge emerged in the Royal seating area for the Opening Ceremony.
[ Video: Gabby Douglas pesters mom, becomes an Olympian ]
3. Olympic Soundtrack/Track list
Danny Boyle unloaded a good chunk of the British musical catalogue on the Opening Ceremony, with selected cuts from famous musical acts like the Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, Pink Floyd and Queen. The Beatles also received plenty of love, with Paul McCartney himself closing the show on a sing-a-long rendition of "Hey Jude."
4. David Beckham's boat stunt
After speculation over just what his role would be, the decorated English soccer star drove the speedboat carrying the Olympic Torch on the Thames before the torch made its way into the Olympic Stadium.
5. Arctic Monkeys
The English indie rock band performed live, singing their hit "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and then covering The Beatles' "Come Together."
6. Lord Voldemort
The arch villain of the Harry Potter franchise made good on his long-rumored appearance in the form of a towering puppet that haunted the dreams of a young girl on a bed. He brought with him other famous antagonists from British literature, including Cruella De Vil, Captain Hook and the Queen of Hearts. Voldemort's reign of scares was short-lived, thanks to …
7. Mary Poppins
… who came to save the little girl in the nick of time. The titular heroine of a series of children's books and a popular 1964 Disney film, Ms. Poppins gave the crowd a reason to cheer at the Olympic Stadium.
8. Mr. Bean and the "Chariots of Fire"
The most humorous moments of the evening belonged to Rowan Atkinson, perhaps better known as the buffoonish television character Mr. Bean. Atkinson whimsically played the keyboard portion of Vangelis' iconic theme from the Oscar-winning film "Chariots of Fire," and then dreamt himself into the iconic beach race scene, using a car and some well-placed physicality to beat the others to the finish.
[ Related: Danny Boyle orchestrates a very British Opening Ceremony ]
9. J.K. Rowling
The best-selling author who introduced the world to Harry Potter introduced the world to the previously mentioned Voldemort/Mary Poppins sequence, and while she looked (understandably) nervous, she played her part with aplomb.
10. Bradley Wiggins rings the bell
Last Sunday, Wiggins became the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France, and he rang the bell that officially kicked off the London Games at the Opening Ceremony. Quite a week for the 32-year-old.
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