The excitement of the 1948 Olympics contrasts with the commercial machine that is the modern London Games. The sponsors of the modern Olympics have made it a very different event. The amateur innocence of a past Olympics has long gone.
However, London is really looking forward to it. As I write this the sky overhead is humming with helicopters as the flame passes along the River Thames near where I live (photographs below). I am lucky to be going to the Opening Ceremony and have tickets to see athletics and track and road cycling in both Olympics and Paralympics.
These pictures were taken earlier this morning as the flame was lit for its final journey along the Thames on the Gloriana to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony tonight.