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| Team Welcome Ceremony rehearsals [PHOTO: Tom Dulat/ Getty Images] |
London: London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has released the official national anthems which will be played at Team Welcome and Victory Ceremonies throughout the games.
Over 200 national anthems have been arranged by British composer, conductor and cellist Philip Sheppard and were recorded by the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the world famous Abbey Road Studios. Using 36 musicians, it took 50 recording hours over 6 days and will now be played at over 100 Team Welcome Ceremonies and 805 Victory Ceremonies in the run up to and during the Games.
The first time the anthems will officially be played, is at the Team Welcome Ceremonies, as athletes arrive to the Olympic and Paralympic Village. Designed to formally welcome the athletes and team officials to the Games and taking place prior to both Opening Ceremonies, they act as a celebratory moment at the beginning of the Games. Several ceremonies are set to take place every day in the days leading up to the Games for up to four teams at a time providing the best welcome to London 2012.
The Ceremonies have been created produced and choreographed by The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT) who will also perform the shows. Set to be exciting and engaging they will celebrate the strength, determination and courage of athletes. The 70 strong NYT will sing, dance and perform around athletes ensuring they are a part of the Ceremony.
As well as a performance by the NYT, the Team Welcome Ceremonies will also consist of protocol moments including the playing of the national anthems and raising of flags by members of the Armed Forces.
The official London 2012 national anthems will also be played at Victory Ceremonies where medal winning athletes can formally celebrate their success. The flags of the athletes’ countries will are raised by members of the Armed Forces and the national anthem of the gold medallist’s nation is played.