Big Ben lights up in fireworks to ring in Olympic New Year
UK: Revellers across the world are celebrating the end of 2011
and starting to see in 2012 with spectacular fireworks displays which
lit up the night skies. In London a dazzling fireworks display attracted
thousands of people who clamoured to see the impressive display.
The London Eye and Big Ben were the focal point for the pyrotechnics,
which London Mayor Boris Johnson said would be a fitting way to mark the
start of an extraordinary year for the city.
There were some 12,000 fireworks, producing 50,000 projectiles,
launched during the display, which is triggered by Big Ben's chimes and
lasted for around 15 minutes.
The Mayor of London's office said the display was the result of 12
months of planning. A crew of 306 has been working on the site since
Boxing Day, with 1,803 staff - including stewards - on duty on the night
itself.
There were 30 tonnes of equipment on the three fireworks barges on
the river ready for the display, which was triggered by GPS to the
chimes of Big Ben.
The start of the London fireworks was accompanied by a recording of
the moment the capital learned it would host next summer's Olympic and
Paralympic Games.
There was a distinctly Olympian theme to the display on the River
Thames with fireworks launched over the London Eye in the shape and
colours of the Olympic rings. The accompanying soundtrack saw Chariots
of Fire kick off a medley of London-themed songs.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘Our New Year fireworks were a
brilliant start to a spectacular year.
‘This is just the beginning - as the eyes of the world turn to London
for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there will be amazing events
across the capital up to, during and beyond a summer like no other.’
Daily Mail |