This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18888699#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| London 2012: Cardiff to stage Olympics' first event | London 2012: Cardiff to stage Olympics' first event |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The world's biggest sporting event is set to kick off in Cardiff later as the Welsh capital hosts the first action of the London 2012 Olympics. | The world's biggest sporting event is set to kick off in Cardiff later as the Welsh capital hosts the first action of the London 2012 Olympics. |
| More than 40,000 fans are expected to watch Great Britain take on New Zealand in women's football at the Millennium Stadium at 16:00 BST. | More than 40,000 fans are expected to watch Great Britain take on New Zealand in women's football at the Millennium Stadium at 16:00 BST. |
| Spectators are warned to arrive two hours before kick-off due to "rigorous" security search procedures in place. | Spectators are warned to arrive two hours before kick-off due to "rigorous" security search procedures in place. |
| The opening ceremony of the Games takes place in London on Friday evening. | The opening ceremony of the Games takes place in London on Friday evening. |
| The match, which will be followed by Cameroon v Brazil at 18:45 BST is among 11 being held at the Millennium Stadium throughout the Games. | The match, which will be followed by Cameroon v Brazil at 18:45 BST is among 11 being held at the Millennium Stadium throughout the Games. |
| "Everything is ready to go," said stadium manager Gerry Toms. "Let's get the show on the road. | "Everything is ready to go," said stadium manager Gerry Toms. "Let's get the show on the road. |
| "We are pleased that the Olympic Games have chosen Cardiff and the venue as a stadium to host the football. | "We are pleased that the Olympic Games have chosen Cardiff and the venue as a stadium to host the football. |
| Available tickets | Available tickets |
| "It reflects the recognition that both the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff is an ideal centre for a worldwide event." | "It reflects the recognition that both the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff is an ideal centre for a worldwide event." |
| The number of tickets available for the double-header is 75,000 and can be bought from ticket booths up until kick-off but the stadium is not expected to reach capacity. | The number of tickets available for the double-header is 75,000 and can be bought from ticket booths up until kick-off but the stadium is not expected to reach capacity. |
| Organisers gave up trying to fill football venues and withdrew half a million tickets across the UK. | Organisers gave up trying to fill football venues and withdrew half a million tickets across the UK. |
| Should the crowd at the Millennium Stadium be higher than 48,000, it will eclipse the attendance for last year's Women's World Cup final in Germany, but still fall short of the 90,000 record set in the United States in 1999. | Should the crowd at the Millennium Stadium be higher than 48,000, it will eclipse the attendance for last year's Women's World Cup final in Germany, but still fall short of the 90,000 record set in the United States in 1999. |
| Because of the way football is scheduled, the tournament has to start before the opening ceremony of the Games. | Because of the way football is scheduled, the tournament has to start before the opening ceremony of the Games. |
| And under International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules, no events can be held in the host city until after the ceremony takes place. | And under International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules, no events can be held in the host city until after the ceremony takes place. |
| Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan will be in Cardiff for the opening match. | Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan will be in Cardiff for the opening match. |
| 'Lasting legacy' | 'Lasting legacy' |
| Mrs Gillan said she was "immensely proud that the world's greatest sporting event starts in Wales". | Mrs Gillan said she was "immensely proud that the world's greatest sporting event starts in Wales". |
| "Wales is playing a leading role in London 2012 - the medals and the athletes' numbers are all made in Wales as well as key elements of the Olympic Park itself," she said. | "Wales is playing a leading role in London 2012 - the medals and the athletes' numbers are all made in Wales as well as key elements of the Olympic Park itself," she said. |
| "I want the whole country to take this opportunity to showcase everything that's great about Wales, and ensure a lasting legacy long after the Games are over." | "I want the whole country to take this opportunity to showcase everything that's great about Wales, and ensure a lasting legacy long after the Games are over." |
| Roads in Cardiff city centre will be closed on Wednesday for eight hours from 13:30 BST and there will be extra capacity on train services. | Roads in Cardiff city centre will be closed on Wednesday for eight hours from 13:30 BST and there will be extra capacity on train services. |
| Music, comedy and sporting activities will be taking place around the city centre from 11:00 to 19:00 BST while fans without tickets will be able to watch the action on the big screen in the Hayes. | Music, comedy and sporting activities will be taking place around the city centre from 11:00 to 19:00 BST while fans without tickets will be able to watch the action on the big screen in the Hayes. |
| Meanwhile, Team GB cyclists, including Wales' Geraint Thomas, will be training at Wales National Velodrome in Newport on Wednesday from 14:00 BST. | |
| Newport council said the event had been put on due to demand to see the athletes with no need to book tickets in advance. | |
| Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "In two days the eyes of the world will focus on the opening ceremony in London, but today Wales is in the spotlight and once again we have an opportunity to show people across the globe what a fantastic host we are for top sporting events." | Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "In two days the eyes of the world will focus on the opening ceremony in London, but today Wales is in the spotlight and once again we have an opportunity to show people across the globe what a fantastic host we are for top sporting events." |