By Louis Jadwong and Usher Kyomugisha in London & agencies

The wait is over, and tonight, the world's greatest sporting event starts at the Olympic Stadium. Billions around the world are expected to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on television, and about 80,000 fortunate ones will watch in the stadium from 11.00pm.

Rain fell for the first time in a week early today and all forecasts indicate it could create a cloud over what London is promisinig to be the best ever opening ceremony.

Uganda is one of 205 countries at the XXX Olympics and will have five athletes march into the stadium following the arrival at midday of weightlifer Charles Ssekyaaya from the US. The Ugandan team will march in at number 192 of 205 nations. Sixteen athletes will carry the Ugandan flag through the Summer Games.

Team Uganda had a rehearsal at the team's welcome to the Village early this week, and looked splendid in in their black, yellow and red gomesi and cream tunics for men.

The team captain Ganzi Mugalu will carry the flag, and will be joined by swimmer Jamila Lunkuse, weightlifter Ssekyaaya, badminton player Edwin Ekiring and 800m runner Julius Mutekanga. The five are the ones that have made it to London so far, with the others still camped in Kapchorwa, Iten in Kenya and in Kampala.

The bulk of Uganda's team comprises athletics led by double gold medalist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Moses Ndiema Kipsiro (5000m, 10000m), Abraham Kiplimo (5000m), Geoffrey Kusuro (5000m) and Thomas Ayeko (10000m).

National record marathon holder Stephen Kiproitich,Benjamin Kiplagat (3000m steeplechase), Jacob Araptany (1500m, 3000m steeplechase) and Mutekanga (800m) make up rest of the men's team.

Middle distance runner Annet Negesa (800m) , 1500m record holder Janet Achola, Dorcus Inzikuru (steeplechase) and Jane Suuto (Marathon) bring the number of females from athletics to four, with the other female being Lunkuse (swimming).

Others are Holland-based Edwin Ekiring in badminton, and weightlifter Ssekyaaya.

The team are also set for action, with Ekiring expected on court 8.30am on Saturday. He will be joined Monday by Ssekyaaya.

Track and field only start a week later, which explains the delayed arrival from altitude of the bulk of the team.

The team yesterday got full kit for the Games from their sponsors PUMA.

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THE CEREMONY

Receiving the Head of State

The Head of State of the Host Country is received at the entrance of the Olympic Stadium by the President of the IOC. For the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, Her Majesty the Queen will be greeted by Jacques Rogge.

Parade of Athletes

A procession of the participating teams in the Stadium, nation by nation. Teams enter in alphabetical order, according to the language of the Host Country, apart from the Greek team, which enters first for the Olympics, and the team of the Host Nation (in this case Team GB), who march in last.

Speeches

Once all the nations have arrived into the Stadium, LOCOG Chair Seb Coe will give a speech, followed by Jacques Rogge. They will end their speeches by inviting the Head of State to officially declare the Games open.

Olympic Anthem and Flag

Once the Games have been declared open, the Olympic Flag is then carried into the Stadium and hoisted into the air as the respective Anthem is played. The Olympic Charter states that each flag must fly for the entire duration of the Games – placed in a prominent position in the main Stadium.

Oaths

A participating athlete, judge and coach from the Host Nation stand on the rostrum and, holding a corner of the IOC flag in their left hand and raising their right, take the Oath, vowing to compete and judge according to the rules of their respective sport,.

The Torch and Cauldron

The big finale is the entrance of the Olympic Flame into the Stadium. It is passed through the athletes to the final Torchbearer, who will ceremoniously light the Cauldron, indicating the beginning of the Games. The Flame will continue to burn for the whole of the Games.

Creative team

A host of world-class British directors and producers are leading the artistic team to stage the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Performers

A total cast of 15,000 will take part in the London 2012 Opening and Closing Ceremonies, which will be watched by an estimated audience of four billion.

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By NewVision Reporter

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