Mayor of London Boris Johnson is inviting Londoners and visitors to watch the Opening Ceremony on a giant outdoor screen provided by the Worldwide Olympic Games Partner Panasonic. There will also be the chance to try a range of 'virtual' winter sports in the iconic square.

Olympic Gold medal cyclist Jamie Staff and British number one Javelin thrower Goldie Sayers will also be present to celebrate the start of the Games and show their support to Team GB. Jamie Staff said: ‘I’m really looking forward to the Vancouver 2010 Games and it will be great to watch it kick off on the big screens. I'm a huge fan of winter sports so it'll be great watching the Team GB athletes compete over the next two weeks; I know they'll do us all proud!'.

Goldie Sayers added: ‘It’s always a great atmosphere when you get together with other people to cheer on your home team. It’s very exciting to think that in just over two years, the Games will be coming to London and the same people will be cheering me on to achieve my dream of winning an Olympic medal.'