Absolutely. It is emotional to look back at this and see how we made the games ours that year. Same with the opening and closing ceremony. It was a fantastic time.
The nostalgia, the emotions, the memories, the pride, the success, the brilliance, the wonder, the best Olympic Games ever held and the greatest two weeks to ever to be British - it was perfect! If I could find a way to bottle all of this and inject it into my veins I would I never wanted it to end!
2 games have gone since in 2 beautiful cities but I’m pretty sure life itself peaked in 2012 with these games and then it’s never been the same since. Perhaps it never will.
amazing opening of the Olympics! this was also one reason why 2012 was a amazing year for me! im still amazed that this happened when I was 9 years old!
admit it when you saw this for the first time you knew then and there the Olympics was really coming to London and the UK This was are Olympics and we put a show on for the whole world Thank you 2012🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🥇🥈🥉
I spent my summer in London and it was possibly the best summer of my life. I was so inspired by so many people, not only in the Olympics but the Paralympics too, I met the Paralympics GB flag bearer, what an inspiration he is. It's fair to say this is the best country on earth. Proud to be British and to have hosted an amazing summer.
Just looking back at this advert for the first time in years, and I wish I hadn’t been so hasty on London 2012 at the time, because after looking back on the whole thing, I can say that London put the best games on ever in the modern history. The logo and font used for promotional material was the only problem with it. I can also say that London 2012 was the last Olympic Games in recent memory to not be filled with massive issues in some way or another. Sochi had a doping scandal, Rio had a tragic death near the end, Pyeongchang banned many countries from entering, and Tokyo was delayed by a whole year. With Beijing starting next week (for the Winter Games this time), I hope this one runs smoothly for the first time in a decade.
+Russell Bardin Me too, camped for the 1st week, back home to Scotland for the rowing and super sunday on tv, then back down for the 2nd week. Amazing atmosphere in London. Cool hearing the medal results on the tube n DLR on the way into town every morning. Felt like the centre of the world for a couple of weeks. No one does sport like the UK :) We need a World Cup now - hope they take it off Russia or quatar n give it to us
Just watched this again, eight years later. So inspiring, and such a wonderful time. That summer was just the happiest time for me, a new baby girl, watching the Olympic flame go past in Peckham just after I'd registered her birth and then enjoying the wonder of the games for a blissful month. London did us proud. Fast forward to today, and we are overcome with Covid 19 and another lockdown looming. The joy and the pain of life.
I remember it like yesterday, Summer holiday in London and the vibe was so lit and life was good lol. The standout Olympians from that year, Andy Murray, Jessica Ennis and Michael Phelps.
With Rio just a few weeks away, I had to come back to watch this. Absolutely amazing. I will never forget that feeling, even though temporary, of us being the centre of the universe. So proud to be a Londoner.
Just reminiscing with this... Loved the BBC coverage. I remember having 7 screens on at once at one point... No idea why, there's no way I could keep track of them all but it was bloody lovely.
I wish the BBC, Channel 4, and Eurosport would use this music for every Olympics (Both Summer and Winter) to show how this is the undisputed greatest show on earth.
Watching this again has brought it all back. Goosebumps. What a theme. So proud to have had the Games in my back yard. The joy and feelgood factor around the country. I think we peaked as a nation then. Things went downhill fast once this and the Paras finished.
Me too. Some years later, I realised that the oneness and goodness and joy and togetherness we felt then was a sub-part of what the Holy Spirit can offer while we remain on the Earth ... as a foretaste of the full majesty ofGod's love. And that we don't have to give up ever, so no withdrawal symptoms needed...
Firstly, this is stunning. So well put together. Secondly, I can't believe that so much time has passed from the event itself!!! Still pumps me up though.
Ive gone cold...olympics show freedom and togetherness. just 8 years later those freedoms were taken away due to covid. From 2022 make every single day count.
Absolutely love this. The hair stands up all over my body every time I hear and watch this. Scottish...yet extremely proud to be British. Hopefully we stay united and see this great spectacular event again.
I always love it when I can see creativity behind a piece. Here it is just marvelous, how the creators took the sports out of the stadium and yet they manage to have it present in the back or as a shadow. A wonderful fusion of sport, art, music and patriotism [in a good way]. And I am also a fan on elbow :)
Every time I hear this I see Chris Hoy, his face covered by that reflective visor, raising both arms into the air and roaring as he pelted across the line in the Keirin, his last ever professional race. I see Mo Farah, Jess Ennis and Greg Rutherford standing shoulder to shoulder with their medals around their necks, draped in one massive Union Jack. Gemma Gibbons on the ground, punching the air and looking skyward, thanking her mother. Tom Daley‘s entire coaching team, with him on their shoulders, jumping into the pool in celebration. Andy Murray beating Nadal to gold almost 1 month to the day after losing to him in the Wimbledon final. Peter Wilson falling to his knees in tears of joy in the double trap. So many incredible memories of that summer. I have never felt so proud to be British as I did for those 16 days, and don’t imagine I ever will again
The 2020 Summer Olympics starts, begins and opens on Friday 24th July 2020 and closes, ends and finishes on Sunday 23rd August 2020 and Olympic Torch Relay around Europe, UK & Ireland started, began and opened on Thursday 12th March 2020 and ending, finishing and closing on Friday 24th July 2020.👍☺😀😁
Amazingly inspirational. The combination of music and images perfectly captures the excitement of the Games - athletes pushing the very boundaries of achievement. Makes me proud to be British but also proud to be part of the human race (and it's not often we get to say that).
This was purely a magical time. After all the pessimism in the years leading up to our olympics it was soon forgotten and the whole country came together to support our athletes and for those three weeks everyone was optimistic in a way that wasn’t seen in the U.K. since the ‘90s. I feel so fortunate that I got to go to the Olympic park to watch the games (handball, fencing at the excel, and football). We set an example for the whole world in how to make an Olympic Games sustainable long-term and no other country has matched us since. I felt so proud to be a Brit during the games, I really wish that we’d bid again for another Olympic Games.
Read an interview with Guy Garvey in 'The Independent' & he said that the lyrics came from watching one of his Elbow bandmates' young chldren learning to walk, hence 'First Steps'. I believe some of the lyrics are 'The will to fly is in your eyes'.
This is Brilliant. Every time I hear it, the excitement of the London 2012 Olympics revels through my body. The Part at 01;18 actually send shivers down my spin, and then towards the end of it, tears do well. Brilliant Elbow - Release it!
Come back to watch this for the build up for the Rio 2016 games. So proud of the games we put on in London, but can't wait to see what twist Rio will put on the Olympics! PS, BBC got this advert ABSOLUTELY spot on for the London games!
So sad the Olympics are nearly over, it's been a completely breath-taking experience, well done to all of the athletes, no matter what sport you do, no matter what country you're from, no matter whether you won a medal or not, London 2012 has truly been beautiful :D
Could not agree more, I live in Australia " The land of the Eternal Advert" where on free to air television they manage to have 4 advert breaks in an episode of The Simpsons. The one blessing that can be given to you by aussie TV is that it forces you to read or get out in the open and enjoy life as it should be
Leo said it all very well , we spent the summer glued to our tv and we were fortunate enough to go to Cardiff to see team GB play and also to the Olympic stadium to see one of the evening sessions of the Paralmypics which turned to be the jewel in the crown of the whole summer well done Great Britain !
The BBC really did get it right with London 2012, so emotional watching it back.
Absolutely.
Yes...wonderful memories !
Absolutely. It is emotional to look back at this and see how we made the games ours that year. Same with the opening and closing ceremony. It was a fantastic time.
To be fair the BBC are the best at what they do. No one can compete..
David Clark
Outside Broadcasts.
Second to none! 👍
our Olympics was simply the best ever .
The nostalgia, the emotions, the memories, the pride, the success, the brilliance, the wonder, the best Olympic Games ever held and the greatest two weeks to ever to be British - it was perfect! If I could find a way to bottle all of this and inject it into my veins I would I never wanted it to end!
This was a truly incredible time for the UK 🇬🇧
Yep, seems so long ago now with the way things currently are
still gives me goosebumps every time I hear this
I NEVER shed a tear except when I see this. Utterly brilliant.
+Jim Hailwood it's just a fantastic composition by elbow and the orchestra. outstanding!!!
The best Olympic games I’ve seen in my lifetime. Such timeless memories.
So proud being British, that shot of London in the middle of the stadium will always be with me
2 games have gone since in 2 beautiful cities but I’m pretty sure life itself peaked in 2012 with these games and then it’s never been the same since. Perhaps it never will.
Don't ever take this away please, we won't ever see something better from UK.
Hopefully the Olympics can return here soon. It was an incredible time not only for our country but the world 🇬🇧🇬🇧 🇬🇧
amazing opening of the Olympics! this was also one reason why 2012 was a amazing year for me! im still amazed that this happened when I was 9 years old!
This is just beautiful, the best trailer for any program I’ve ever seen👌🏿
The nostalgia
admit it when you saw this for the first time you knew then and there the Olympics was really coming to London and the UK
This was are Olympics and we put a show on for the whole world
Thank you 2012🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🥇🥈🥉
I spent my summer in London and it was possibly the best summer of my life. I was so inspired by so many people, not only in the Olympics but the Paralympics too, I met the Paralympics GB flag bearer, what an inspiration he is. It's fair to say this is the best country on earth. Proud to be British and to have hosted an amazing summer.
Dammit that was good, must be getting soft but this brought a tear to my eye. What a great games London put on.
It's a phenomenal short animation - encapturing so much positive human spirit with a back drop unmistakably of the 2012 games. The BBC nailed it.
Just looking back at this advert for the first time in years, and I wish I hadn’t been so hasty on London 2012 at the time, because after looking back on the whole thing, I can say that London put the best games on ever in the modern history. The logo and font used for promotional material was the only problem with it. I can also say that London 2012 was the last Olympic Games in recent memory to not be filled with massive issues in some way or another. Sochi had a doping scandal, Rio had a tragic death near the end, Pyeongchang banned many countries from entering, and Tokyo was delayed by a whole year. With Beijing starting next week (for the Winter Games this time), I hope this one runs smoothly for the first time in a decade.
I'm proud to be British. London 2012 was simply the best games in my lifetime. I think Rio won't match these games.
10 years ago today since the opening ceremony
Gives me goose bumps every time I watch this , and reminds me of a brilliant summer in which we had the opportunity to go to some of the events
+Russell Bardin Me too, camped for the 1st week, back home to Scotland for the rowing and super sunday on tv, then back down for the 2nd week. Amazing atmosphere in London. Cool hearing the medal results on the tube n DLR on the way into town every morning. Felt like the centre of the world for a couple of weeks. No one does sport like the UK :) We need a World Cup now - hope they take it off Russia or quatar n give it to us
Has it really been 7 yrs ago !!!!, where did that time go.
I remember watching this on the one show over 10yrs ago (before the games) and just felt inspired.
Can’t believe this is 10 years ago and the graphics stood the rest of time
Just watched this again, eight years later. So inspiring, and such a wonderful time. That summer was just the happiest time for me, a new baby girl, watching the Olympic flame go past in Peckham just after I'd registered her birth and then enjoying the wonder of the games for a blissful month. London did us proud. Fast forward to today, and we are overcome with Covid 19 and another lockdown looming. The joy and the pain of life.
I remember it like yesterday, Summer holiday in London and the vibe was so lit and life was good lol. The standout Olympians from that year, Andy Murray, Jessica Ennis and Michael Phelps.
The transition at 1:46 is immense! Amazing job BBC.
With Rio just a few weeks away, I had to come back to watch this. Absolutely amazing. I will never forget that feeling, even though temporary, of us being the centre of the universe. So proud to be a Londoner.
Yes, it was the best we can be. And will be.
i was a GM at 2012, proud of it and amazing opening
Same. So proud
oabuseer I'm from Yorkshire and London's good for tourism but in general the place just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Highly emotive and inspirational, both in sight and sound.
one of the happiest periods of my life!
If this advert don’t make you wanna get your ass to the gym I dunno what will.
I literally got chills watching this lol
Just reminiscing with this... Loved the BBC coverage. I remember having 7 screens on at once at one point... No idea why, there's no way I could keep track of them all but it was bloody lovely.
One year today, and still, the games give me chills up my spine.
Best theme song ever and best Olympics ever 😎
The 24 channels extra so you could watch every single event. PERFECT love the BBC
What time started
I wish the BBC, Channel 4, and Eurosport would use this music for every Olympics (Both Summer and Winter) to show how this is the undisputed greatest show on earth.
This still gives me goosebumps even now!
Watching this again has brought it all back. Goosebumps. What a theme. So proud to have had the Games in my back yard. The joy and feelgood factor around the country. I think we peaked as a nation then. Things went downhill fast once this and the Paras finished.
I remember getting severe withdrawal symptoms when the London Olympics ended 😭🙈
Me too.
Some years later, I realised that the oneness and goodness and joy and togetherness we felt then was a sub-part of what the Holy Spirit can offer while we remain on the Earth ... as a foretaste of the full majesty ofGod's love.
And that we don't have to give up ever, so no withdrawal symptoms needed...
8 years ago today already wow!!
you only need two and half mins to show greatness of a nation
And then 3.5 years to rip it apart within the space of a decade.
Firstly, this is stunning. So well put together. Secondly, I can't believe that so much time has passed from the event itself!!! Still pumps me up though.
goosebumps every time
So beautiful at the time.
Now this country has sunken so low. Makes me want to cry.
Elbow - First Steps
... You're welcome. :)
Ive gone cold...olympics show freedom and togetherness. just 8 years later those freedoms were taken away due to covid. From 2022 make every single day count.
Brings good memories which I will always treasure.
Still the best Olympics advert of all time !
Just a work of genius
Such inspiring music and visuals. So proud we held the Olympics. Guy Garvey....Genius!
Absolutely love this. The hair stands up all over my body every time I hear and watch this. Scottish...yet extremely proud to be British. Hopefully we stay united and see this great spectacular event again.
Just came back here to watch this before tonight's opening ceremony. Loved London and now can't wait for Rio!
I always love it when I can see creativity behind a piece. Here it is just marvelous, how the creators took the sports out of the stadium and yet they manage to have it present in the back or as a shadow. A wonderful fusion of sport, art, music and patriotism [in a good way].
And I am also a fan on elbow :)
London 2012: Britain nailed it.
cant believe that our Olympics was 2 years ago
Making you feel old? ;)
yep lol
God dammit.
5...
aop2006 back when the UK wasn't such a hate filled place. Thanks Tories.
Every time I watch this I always have a smile of what was the best Olympics ever. Happy and Glorious Games.
Love it, such a beautiful piece of animation complimented with an epic soundtrack.
Every time I hear this I see Chris Hoy, his face covered by that reflective visor, raising both arms into the air and roaring as he pelted across the line in the Keirin, his last ever professional race.
I see Mo Farah, Jess Ennis and Greg Rutherford standing shoulder to shoulder with their medals around their necks, draped in one massive Union Jack.
Gemma Gibbons on the ground, punching the air and looking skyward, thanking her mother.
Tom Daley‘s entire coaching team, with him on their shoulders, jumping into the pool in celebration.
Andy Murray beating Nadal to gold almost 1 month to the day after losing to him in the Wimbledon final.
Peter Wilson falling to his knees in tears of joy in the double trap.
So many incredible memories of that summer. I have never felt so proud to be British as I did for those 16 days, and don’t imagine I ever will again
The 2020 Summer Olympics starts, begins and opens on Friday 24th July 2020 and closes, ends and finishes on Sunday 23rd August 2020 and Olympic Torch Relay around Europe, UK & Ireland started, began and opened on Thursday 12th March 2020 and ending, finishing and closing on Friday 24th July 2020.👍☺😀😁
But now it's postpon till 2021
Im back again,,, 2021,,, LOVE THIS MUSIC.
I absolutely love this. Music makes me tingle every time and the animation is amazing.
Song is called “elbow first steps”
11 years on and still watch this with great, lifetime memories of London 2012 ❤
What a beautiful advert.
absolutely wonderful
Absolutely fabulous.
Still makes my spine tingle today
Had to look very hard to find this full-length version! Superb work from the BBC, as always.
Amazingly inspirational. The combination of music and images perfectly captures the excitement of the Games - athletes pushing the very boundaries of achievement. Makes me proud to be British but also proud to be part of the human race (and it's not often we get to say that).
Absolutely outstanding!
Goosebumps
Props to whoever designed this video, it's awesome! Gets you in the mood for watching, that's for sure.
This was purely a magical time. After all the pessimism in the years leading up to our olympics it was soon forgotten and the whole country came together to support our athletes and for those three weeks everyone was optimistic in a way that wasn’t seen in the U.K. since the ‘90s.
I feel so fortunate that I got to go to the Olympic park to watch the games (handball, fencing at the excel, and football).
We set an example for the whole world in how to make an Olympic Games sustainable long-term and no other country has matched us since.
I felt so proud to be a Brit during the games, I really wish that we’d bid again for another Olympic Games.
It's available now from digital stores, all proceeds go to charity.
And wasn't the opening ceremony just AMAZING!!!
I hadn't seen this (in Toronto). Thank you...it is really brilliant!
Read an interview with Guy Garvey in 'The Independent' & he said that the lyrics came from watching one of his Elbow bandmates' young chldren learning to walk, hence 'First Steps'. I believe some of the lyrics are 'The will to fly is in your eyes'.
This is Brilliant. Every time I hear it, the excitement of the London 2012 Olympics revels through my body. The Part at 01;18 actually send shivers down my spin, and then towards the end of it, tears do well. Brilliant Elbow - Release it!
Damn this is so good!
The animation was perfect. I certainly brings back memories of gold, silver, bronze and victory!
I still do! Best year of my life. When I went over to them it was fantastic
Come back to watch this for the build up for the Rio 2016 games. So proud of the games we put on in London, but can't wait to see what twist Rio will put on the Olympics! PS, BBC got this advert ABSOLUTELY spot on for the London games!
Too right, it's a work of art.
Totally agree, the best games I've ever watched and the coverage was superb.
So sad the Olympics are nearly over, it's been a completely breath-taking experience, well done to all of the athletes, no matter what sport you do, no matter what country you're from, no matter whether you won a medal or not, London 2012 has truly been beautiful :D
What a games ! Legendary , My little girl was born on super Saturday
This feels so special
Could not agree more, I live in Australia " The land of the Eternal Advert" where on free to air television they manage to have 4 advert breaks in an episode of The Simpsons. The one blessing that can be given to you by aussie TV is that it forces you to read or get out in the open and enjoy life as it should be
brilliant advert, brilliant coverage, sterling job BBC
I just can't forget this song best ever I feel as though I am going to cry
Awesome promo, iconic, captivating and emotive.
This is so true. Absolutely fantastic! Ingenious!!!
Got shivers watching that.
Elbow, you ticked every box with that song.
Chills! Every time!
Thank you, Tony.
Leo said it all very well , we spent the summer glued to our tv and we were fortunate enough to go to Cardiff to see team GB play and also to the Olympic stadium to see one of the evening sessions of the Paralmypics which turned to be the jewel in the crown of the whole summer well done Great Britain !
gotta say ive seen this video like 20+ times whilst working at the bbc... and yet its still amazing.
I love this it just gets u going
our strength and love
all in your blood
our hope and pride
all in your eyes your eyes
Really stirring stuff, and a fantastic score written by Elbow !
Amazing!
I never cry but this gets me every time....especially at the end.
Still gets me every time I watch/hear this.
Wow actually gave me goose bumps watching the full version.
it gives me a shiver, that makes me proud and sad at the same time.