LONDON 2012: Leicestershire's Olympics performers and visitors thrilled to be at Games

From performing in the opening ceremony to watching Team GB’s sports stars in action, people from across Leicestershire have been telling the Mercury about their experience of the Olympics. Here are some of their stories.

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Johannah Randall

Johannah, 42, of Oakham, played a nurse in the opening ceremony – and also met artistic director Danny Boyle

“It’s incredible to think that so many people tuned in to watch something that I was involved in. I can’t find the words to describe what it felt like to take part in the ceremony. But it’s an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.

“There was a wonderful spirit among the volunteers and everyone was driven on by the opportunity to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime event.

“Danny Boyle was at every rehearsal and went out of his way to encourage volunteers and thank them for their efforts. He came across as a genuinely nice man and meeting him was a tremendous thrill.”

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Tabitha Ashby

Tabitha, 24, from Leicester Forest East, was one of the dancers in the opening ceremony.

“It was an absolutely fantastic production to be part of. The noise was amazing. We had earphones so we could hear the music and directions, but we still heard the crowd.

“I danced in the 60s section which featured The Beatles, the Stones and Millie’s My Boy Lollipop and the Dizzy Rascal section.

“There were about 400 dancers in our section and we had been rehearsing in the stadium since June.

“It was nerve-wracking just before we went on.

“We had been sworn to secrecy and it was very difficult not to let bits slip.

“But it was a fantastic experience to think I have been part of a performance seen by one billion people.

“Another bonus is I got to keep by pink plastic costume.”

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The Birds

Craig Bird, from Wigston, went with his wife Jane and 17-year-old son Scott to the tennis, and saw Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in action.

“We had a fantastic time under the centre court roof. The highlight was seeing Andy Murray walk on to court to a rapturous welcome from the partisan crowd. With his Swiss opponent Stanislas Wawrinka being urged on from the supporters box by an entourage which included Roger Federer, the match was very even and constantly enthralling.

“Thankfully for most of the crowd, the match ran to the script and Murray ran out a worthy winner.

“It was a great day out and a wonderful experience to be part of this great Olympic event.

“It has whet my appetite for the other events I’ll be attending over the next fortnight. I think my tweet at the time of first sitting in my seat on centre court probably summed it up perfectly. It simply read: ‘Bloody hell. I’m at the Olympics!’”

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The Loxleys

Teacher Kate Loxley, from Houghton on the Hill, was delighted when her husband Nick managed to get last- minute tickets for the opening ceremony.

“We got two tickets at £150 each and were right up the top on the halfway line opposite where the Queen was. The ceremony was sensory overload.

“It was phenomenal and although we were right up at the back we felt really part of what was going on.

“Seeing the Olympic rings rise up was really impressive. They were at our eye level and seemed to be floating.

“The most spine-tingling part was when Team GB walked out led by Sir Chris Hoy. The noise that greeted them was unbelievable.”

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Abdul Osman

Leicester’s Lord Mayor was also at the opening ceremony. He had also been at the same event for the Beijing Olympics.

“Both were unforgettable and had their own razzamatazz.

“In Beijing, the 2,500 drummers all playing at once were stunning. But there were no constraints on numbers or expenditure. London had its own spectacular elements, too, which were breathtaking in their own way.

“The arrival of the Olympic flame was a high point and the stadium erupted when Team GB arrived. There was a tremendous roar and everyone gave them a standing ovation.”

Tabitha, 24, from Leicester Forest East, was one of the dancers in the opening ceremony.

"It was an absolutely fantastic production to be part of. The noise was amazing. We had earphones so we could hear the music and directions, but we still heard the crowd.

"I danced in the 60s section which featured The Beatles, the Stones and Millie's My Boy Lollipop and the Dizzy Rascal section.

"There were about 400 dancers in our section and we had been rehearsing in the stadium since June.

"It was nerve-wracking just before we went on.

"We had been sworn to secrecy and it was very difficult not to let bits slip.

"But it was a fantastic experience to think I have been part of a performance seen by one billion people.

"Another bonus is I got to keep by pink plastic costume."

Craig Bird, from Wigston, went with his wife Jane and 17-year-old son Scott to the tennis, and saw Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in action.

"We had a fantastic time under the centre court roof. The highlight was seeing Andy Murray walk on to court to a rapturous welcome from the partisan crowd. With his Swiss opponent Stanislas Wawrinka being urged on from the supporters box by an entourage which included Roger Federer, the match was very even and constantly enthralling.

"Thankfully for most of the crowd, the match ran to the script and Murray ran out a worthy winner.

"It was a great day out and a wonderful experience to be part of this great Olympic event.

"It has whet my appetite for the other events I'll be attending over the next fortnight. I think my tweet at the time of first sitting in my seat on centre court probably summed it up perfectly. It simply read: 'Bloody hell. I'm at the Olympics!'"

Teacher Kate Loxley, from Houghton on the Hill, was delighted when her husband Nick managed to get last- minute tickets for the opening ceremony.

"We got two tickets at £150 each and were right up the top on the halfway line opposite where the Queen was. The ceremony was sensory overload.

"It was phenomenal and although we were right up at the back we felt really part of what was going on.

"Seeing the Olympic rings rise up was really impressive. They were at our eye level and seemed to be floating.

"The most spine-tingling part was when Team GB walked out led by Sir Chris Hoy. The noise that greeted them was unbelievable."

Leicester's Lord Mayor was also at the opening ceremony. He had also been at the same event for the Beijing Olympics.

"Both were unforgettable and had their own razzamatazz.

"In Beijing, the 2,500 drummers all playing at once were stunning. But there were no constraints on numbers or expenditure. London had its own spectacular elements, too, which were breathtaking in their own way.

"The arrival of the Olympic flame was a high point and the stadium erupted when Team GB arrived. There was a tremendous roar and everyone gave them a standing ovation."

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Are you going to the Games? Then tell us about your Olympic experience. We’re looking for readers to send us their pictures of themselves at the Games and tell us all about their day. E-mail your pictures, name, where you are from and contact details to; newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk