London Olympic organisers not fazed by Beijing spectacle

9:43am Saturday 9th August 2008

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BEIJING'S spectacular Olympic opening ceremony can be matched in London, says Olympics minister Tessa Jowell.

This year's Olympic Games were officially opened yesterday with a ceremony watched on TV by over a billion people worldwide.

However, despite spectacular fireworks and more than 10,000 performers organisers of the London Olympics, to be held in 2012, remain undaunted.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell attended the opening ceremony instead of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Speaking to the BBC she said: "We should not be intimidated.

"We will do something just as wonderful and just as extraordinary.

"Beijing has done something absolutely stupendous that everyone there will remember for the rest of their lives.

"It is our turn now and we look forward to it. It is a huge challenge but it is one that we will rise to and emulate."

London Olympics Organising Committee chief executive Paul Deighton also attended the event and said they will watch and learn from the Chinese games.

He said: "Everyone expected an opening ceremony of epic proportion and China did not disappoint, including a most spectacular finale.

"We now look forward to 16 days of sport, and, for us, 16 days of learning as we prepare for the the next summer games in London."