LONDON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Giant Olympic rings on Wednesday was unveiled at Heathrow, the Host Airport of the Games.
The Rings will provide a spectacular visual welcome to athletes, Games visitors and other passengers arriving during the London 2012 Games.
The aluminum rings which measure 12 meters in width, the same as a double decker bus, have been installed in Terminal 5 international arrivals and will be seen by at least 2 million passengers travelling through Heathrow.
The Rings were officially launched at a special event on Wednesday with Olympian Mark Foster. Entertainment was provided by the Band of the Irish Guards. Garrison Sergeant Major William Mott OBE, whose 30 foot portrait in Terminal 5, showing him dressed in the iconic Welsh Guards ceremonial red tunic and bearskin cap, and currently the first face that welcomes visitors to Heathrow, was also present at the ceremony.
The Olympic rings are one of the world's most recognizable logos. The five rings - colored blue, yellow, black, green and red - represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.
Nick Cole, Head of Olympic and Paralympic Planning at Heathrow said: Heathrow is the first impression of the UK that the majority of guests arriving for the London 2012 Games will have, so we want a special welcome that will get passengers in the Olympic spirit. We're delighted to have the rings in place to celebrate the start of the Games.