video transcript

Passengers arriving at London's Heathrow airport on Wednesday received a very British welcome. A military marching band in ceremonial attire was part of an official launch day for the unveiling of a giant set of Olympic rings at the London 2012 host airport. The iconic rings will welcome athletes and tourists to London for the Games which begin on July 27. The Games' CEO said the new installation will provide a good first impression to visitors. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAUL DEIGHTON, CEO OF LONDON GAMES: "We have over 200 nations coming here to compete later on in July and this is the place where we are going to be creating our first impression as well as our last impression, so we thought what better location for these spectacular rings than welcoming people when they arrive here in London." Organisers have tried to reassure travellers that the lengthy queues at Heathrow in recent months are a thing of the past. The Home Office is providing extra staff and a pop up extra terminal has been erected especially to deal with the influx of an expected 600,000 extra visitors. Simon Hanna, Reuters.