Royalty, heads of state and mega celebrities arrive amid heavy security to Olympic session
It was an occasion for pomp and pageantry as the opening ceremony for the 121st International Olympic Committee session that took place at the Opera House last night.
Security was tight, with the media being searched and scanned by military police before being corralled outside the opera house, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the IOC members and high-level delegates from each city bidding to host the 2016 Olympics.
Breaking her usual protocol, Queen Margrethe and other members of the royal family arrived first, being ferried across the harbour from Amalienborg Palace.
As the sun began to set over Copenhagen, raucous Chicago supporters gathered outside the Royal Theatre’s Playhouse to cheer on the IOC members arriving at the Opera House by boat from a nearby hotel.
Were they cheering them on or trying to drum up last-minute support for the US city’s bid?
The queen held a special reception for IOC members within the venue before dozens of coaches ferried distinguished guests in for the opening ceremony.
However, this was seemingly too much for one guest who after just 20 minutes, left in a police-led cavalcade.As hundreds of guests streamed into the venue, stars such as Real Madrid footballer Raul Gonzalez and American talk show host Oprah Winfrey caught the eyes and screams of waiting photographers. Brazilian football legend Pelé also had time for a smile and a wave for the photographers, despite the rain.
Copenhagen’s mayor, cabinet ministers and the prime minister were dropped off at the front door by limousine, shortly followed by the heads of state and royalty from the bidding cities.
As each blacked-out motorcade arrived with ever more police outriders, media were kept guessing until the last second as calls for Lula and Michelle rang out.
Unfortunately, Michelle Obama, dressed in a russet gold dress, didn’t stop and wave when her motorcade arrived. She was running a few minutes late and ducked inside quickly.
