Australia's Olympians have marched into the main stadium in London in a spectacular opening ceremony to the 2012 Olympic Games.
Just over 200 of Australia's 410-strong team took part, led by flag bearer Lauren Jackson in their bottle green blazers and white trousers and skirts.
Following tiny Aruba and before Austria, the Australians were given a rousing ovation from the crowd of more than 70,000.
The front line of Australian athletes behind Jackson was made up of five-time Olympian Natalie Cook and seven others at their fourth Games, as well as defending gold medallists, kayaker Ken Wallace and sailor Elise Rechichi.
Many of Australia's biggest medal hopes, including the cyclists, rowers and swimmers were missing the march, watching back at the athletes village as they prepared for competition on Saturday.
But gold medal favourites Sally Pearson and the men's hockey team relished the chance to join athletes from 203 other countries to open the Games.
They were also joined by Jackson's basketball teammates, many of whom weren't going to march but changed their minds when their captain was named flag bearer.
HOME
RSS